Meetings

APR 8, '25

Council referred several FY25 grant and funding orders for second readings on April 22: 2025-037 (authorize acceptance of $500,000 MassWorks grant for the Clark's Road project), 2025-042 (accept $401,654.70 Complete Streets grant), 2025-038 (accept $69,165 EOEA formula grant for the Council on Aging), 2025-039 (MOU with Merrimack Valley RTA for an accessible vehicle), and 2025-041 (transfer $45,889.50 from FY25 Salary Reserve).

APR 7, '25

Commission approved a Certificate of Compliance for 1 Moncrief St; granted negative determinations for RDAs at 12 Pinewood Rd and 473 Main St (with erosion‑control conditions); approved minor modifications for 8 Birch Ln; supported the Town Forest Trail Maintenance Plan; approved a Deer Island kiosk Eagle Scout project; and ratified multiple emergency tree‑removal certifications at several addresses.

APR 3, '25

The commission voted to designate 3 Arlington St. as not historically significant following demolition and asbestos abatement; members also reviewed the 201 Elm St. restoration/splitting proposal and received an update on the library window restoration project and request for a support letter.

APR 2, '25

TRC recommended approval of outdoor dining permits for Silvaticus at 9 Water St. (adding two tables) and Market Square Bakehouse at 5 Market Square (expanding into the lower bullnose, ~340 sq ft).

MAR 27, '25

Public hearing: Housing Support Inc. applied for a Chapter 40B comprehensive permit to add 8 assisted living units via four duplexes plus an administration/maintenance building at 276–280 Main St.; the ZBA authorized Stantec for peer review, authorized staff to prepare a contract, and referred the project to multiple City review bodies for comment.

MAR 26, '25

Re-appointment of Michelle Faucher to the CPA Committee; plans for grassland-bird protection signage at Woodsom Farm (north) and Battis Farm; and Town Forest trail reblazing with a proposed routing that may cross part of 74 Kimball Road.

MAR 25, '25

Council continued the public hearing on Ordinance 2024-096 (expansion of the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) to April 22 and requested republishing of the redline; approved reappointment of Amy Vander Els (2025-035) and appointment of Bonnie Brady (2025-036) to the Amesbury Cultural Council; and approved budget orders/grants 2025-030 ($65,000 police transfer), 2025-031 (accept $15,000 MIIA grant), 2025-032 ($30,000 transfer to legal consultant services), and 2025-033 (accept $9,020 MEMA grant).

MAR 25, '25

MAR 24, '25

Approved: site plan and special permit for 31 Newton Rd (with Conservation Commission OOC and peer-review conditions). Continued public hearing for a major multi-building historic-preservation proposal at 201 Elm St to April 28, 2025.

MAR 19, '25

Technical Review Committee reviewed site plans and technical concerns for three projects: 201 Elm St. (Historic Preservation Special Permit with added driveway and detached garage), 276-278-280 Main St. (40B comprehensive-permit proposal for eight new units and parking reconfiguration), and a 26 Friend St. proposal to add 2.5 stories and three residential units above a ground-floor commercial space.

MAR 18, '25

Subcommittee recommended positively on four budget and grant orders: a $65,000 police transfer to fund a command vehicle (2025-030), a $15,000 MIIA wellness grant for police cardiac screenings (2025-031), a $30,000 transfer to Legal Consultant Services (2025-032), and a $9,020 MEMA grant for Emergency Management (2025-033).

MAR 17, '25

The subcommittee reviewed and voted to send Ordinance 2024-096 (expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) back to City Council with a positive recommendation to accept the Planning Board’s March 10, 2025 red-line version.

MAR 17, '25

31 Newton Rd (AC Land LLC) — Commission approved a waiver to allow driveway landscaping and wetland filling and issued an Order of Conditions for NOI 002-1337 to permit construction of a single-family home.

MAR 12, '25

Library trustees will review lending and borrower policy issues including a review of the Borrower’s Rights and Responsibilities policy and lending to residents of municipalities with decertified libraries, and will receive updates on the budget, facilities/capital projects, and an upcoming board election.

MAR 11, '25

Council approved Ordinance 2025-017 (Outdoor Dining), appropriated $500,000 from free cash for Amesbury High School 90' diamond field improvements (2025-021), and confirmed several mayoral appointments.

MAR 11, '25

MAR 6, '25

Historic review held for 201 Elm St (historic preservation special permit) and a full demolition permit application for 58 Pleasant Valley Rd (commission found the Pleasant Valley property not historically significant); staff also provided an update on 5 and 9 School St RFP status.

MAR 5, '25

Project updates on 26 Friend St. (conceptual 3-story addition and storefront changes) and 5 & 9 School St. (removal of 1980 additions, potential 4-unit reuse of the Ordway, disposition of portions of the lots); Rocky Hill development zoning amendment awaiting state sign-off; TRC set the outdoor dining application schedule and agreed to accept electronic submissions via OpenGov.

MAR 4, '25

Council voted unanimously to sponsor and fiscally steward the city’s first Juneteenth celebration on June 14 at Zach Fields (11:00 AM–2:00).

MAR 3, '25

Several Conservation Commission hearings were continued (31 Newton Rd.; 12-14 South Hunt Rd. COC and enforcement; 81 Pleasant Valley Rd. dock; 13 Merrill Rd. COC), the commission ratified an Emergency Certification for hazardous tree removals at Bartletts Reach, and approved use of WPA funds to pay for the MACC conference.