Meetings

JUL 1, '25

The board approved two trustee appointments: Gary Lefave was appointed to a three-year trustee term (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029) and Beth MacQuade was appointed as the faculty trustee representative for a one-year term (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026).

JUN 25, '25

The committee voted unanimously to send a positive recommendation to City Council supporting the purchase of 128 Kimball Road (City Council Bill 2025-072).

JUN 24, '25

Council rejected Ordinance 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette Street) and approved Ordinance 2025-054 updating Wetlands and Floodplain protection regulations. The Council also approved multiple fiscal orders including CPA reserve allocations (2025-063, 2025-064), a $449,940.23 free-cash appropriation for Snow & Ice (2025-069), inter-departmental transfer authority (2025-070), referred Order 2025-074 (crosswalk at/near 31 Merrimack St) to committees, and approved Resolution 2025-075 supporting LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

JUN 24, '25

A local Eagle Scout presented a proposal to fundraise, build, and install three benches at Sumner Goldsmith Park; Trustees discussed Rocky Hill Memorial restoration work funded by a $5,000 grant and additional maintenance needs at the Franco‑American Memorial.

JUN 23, '25

The Planning Board approved sign packages for Life Wellness (100 Macy St) and Juice House (21 Water St); sent a positive recommendation to City Council for Bill 2025-072 (purchase of 128 Kimball Road to protect the drinking water supply); requested additional information on Bill 2025-053 (easement at 12 Elizabeth St); and approved a covenant release for 107 Market St and a full bond release for 12 Point Shore.

JUN 18, '25

JUN 17, '25

The Subcommittee recommended City Council approval to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water-supply protection (2025-072) and to accept a $122,661 Drinking Water Supply Protection grant to offset acquisition costs (2025-073). Members also recommended funding a $449,940.23 FY2025 Snow & Ice deficit from Free Cash (2025-069) and renewing a one-year intermunicipal animal control agreement with Salisbury (2025-068).

JUN 16, '25

Subcommittee recommended against Ordinance 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette Street median strip) after resident opposition; it returned Orders 2025-053 (accept easement at 12 Elizabeth St.) and 2025-068 (one-year renewal of Salisbury animal control agreement) to the City Council with positive recommendations; it also recommended approval of Order 2025-072 to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water-supply protection pending a typographical edit.

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.