Meetings

JUN 12, '25

COA Director Doreen announced her retirement effective July 21, 2025; Treasurer Larry is stepping down and Cathleen will provide interim treasurer reports until a new Treasurer is voted in.

JUN 11, '25

Trustees reviewed library facilities and capital projects (including a pending window restoration bid) and heard that a long-range planning contract has been signed to begin in September; the group also discussed uncertainty around IMLS funding and potential database cuts.

JUN 10, '25

Council approved the FY26 operating and enterprise budgets including a total city appropriation of $92,459,026 and the school appropriation of $39,842,711; the Council also approved appropriation of FY26 capital Free Cash (2025-047). The Council appointed Delaney Kingsland to the Conservation Commission, reappointed James Humphries as Constable and reappointed KP Law as City Attorney (2025-065, 2025-066, 2025-067). Orders to acquire 128 Kimball Rd for water-supply/conservation purposes (2025-072) and a related grant acceptance (2025-073) were referred to committees for review.

JUN 10, '25

Cultural Center open house planned for Sept. 13 as part of Trails to Sails; Amesbury Open Studios set for Nov. 8–9 with venues including the senior center, Costello, the Cultural Center and possibly City Hall; Open Studios sponsorship structure finalized with partial $2,000 commitment and a plan to seek an additional $2,000 from Newburyport Bank. Also: Juneteenth Celebration scheduled for June 14 at Zach Fields and a pollinator garden project (dubbed 'Pollinator Playground') is underway.

JUN 9, '25

The Board approved the sign package for Grind and Go Café (68 Haverhill Rd), approved the draft decision for the site plan and special permit for 201 Elm St., released the erosion control bond for 31 Newton Rd., and sent a positive recommendation on Bill 2025-054 (Wetlands & Floodplain ordinance) to City Council. The Board also heard substantial preapplication presentations for 45 Main St. (Historic Preservation Special Permit) and the large 1–9 Oakland St. redevelopment (proposed 124 units plus artists' live/work).

JUN 9, '25

Ordinance 2025-054 to amend Amesbury’s Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations to align with FEMA’s updated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) was referred to the full City Council with a positive recommendation; the Subcommittee requested the Planning Director provide redline edits for the June 24 Council meeting.

JUN 9, '25

Public hearing and expected vote on a new all‑alcohol Section 12 liquor license application from 31 Main, Inc.

JUN 4, '25

TRC voted unanimously to support the site plan and special permit for 26 Friend St., requiring coordination with OCED and DPW and submission of a Construction Management and Mitigation Plan (CMMP) to TRC before construction.

JUN 3, '25

The Ad Hoc Budget Committee recommended the City of Amesbury’s FY26 operating budget, including a $83,841,959 General Fund and a total appropriation of $92,459,026 with specified funding sources; the committee also approved the Library budget totaling $937,670.

JUN 2, '25

Approved the NOI and issued an OOC for 471 Main St (plunge pool and site work); authorized a peer review of the wetland delineation for 131 Haverhill Rd ANRAD; issued multiple RDAs/Negative Determinations for shoreline/riverfront properties (54 Lake Attitash Rd, 15 Cedar St, 77 Whitehall Rd, 28 Back River Rd); ratified an emergency certification to clear beaver debris from two culverts on Lions Mouth Rd; and approved several minor OOC modifications (77 Macy St, 101-107 Market St, Bailey’s Pond, 8 Birch Ln).

MAY 29, '25

Discussion of trail and habitat projects including signage for nesting season and an update on Town Forest re-blazing; consideration of collaboration with Lory Douglass/Amesbury Eco Gardeners and planning for an Amesbury Open Space Forum.

MAY 28, '25

Budget Hearing #4: FY26 budget presentations and Q&A for the Police Department (including Harbormaster), Fire Department, and Amesbury Public Schools; School Committee expressed support for an increase to the school budget.

MAY 27, '25

Approved appointment of Aaron Martin to the Board of Health (2025-061); council approved multiple safety and technology grant orders and a property transfer of the Amesbury Elementary School (2025-044, 2025-049, 2025-050, 2025-051, 2025-052). Several National Grid pole permits for 10 Aubin St., 5 Chester St., Nayson’s Ct. (Heritage Vale St.), Oakland St., and South Hampton Rd. were approved (2025-055 through 2025-059), and Community Preservation Act reserve orders (2025-063 and 2025-064) were referred to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

MAY 21, '25

Council held FY26 budget hearings for Community & Economic Development, Planning, Conservation, Zoning Board of Appeals, Inspectional Services and Health, and the Department of Public Works including Water and Wastewater enterprise budgets.

MAY 21, '25

The committee recommended that City Council establish five CPA reserve accounts (Housing, Open Space/Recreation, Historic, Administrative, Budgeted) and transfer set percentages of FY2026 estimated CPA funds (10% to three reserves, 5% to administrative, remainder to budgeted); specific dollar figures were recorded in the minutes.

MAY 20, '25

Budget Hearing #2: City Council reviewed proposed FY26 budgets for the Assessor, Collector/Treasurer, Information Technologies, Mayor/Legal Services, Human Resources, City Clerk/Elections, and Administration & Finance.

MAY 20, '25

Subcommittee recommended forwarding multiple mayoral orders to the full City Council with positive recommendations, including revolving fund spending limits (2025-048), a multi-item equipment lease (2025-049), an IT grant (2025-050), SAFE and Senior SAFE grants (2025-051), transfer of Amesbury Elementary School property (2025-052), and firefighter safety equipment grant (2025-044). It returned the Free Cash appropriation for FY26 capital expenditures (2025-047) to the Council with no recommendation (2-1).

MAY 20, '25

MAY 15, '25

FY26 budget hearing: presentations and questions on proposed budgets for Youth Services (possible fee increases tied to new licensing), Library, Council on Aging, Veterans Services, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

MAY 15, '25

Board will receive a Public Health Excellence (PHE) grant update and discuss public-health events and communications, including the Lake Gardner Festival (May 31, 2025), a preliminary IED discussion, and syndicated CDC health information.