Meetings

FEB 27, '25

Approved: Special Permit/Finding for 13 Merrimac St. to enlarge two pre-existing non-conforming residential units, with proposed right-side expansion and historic exterior restoration.

FEB 27, '25

The meeting will include updates on MCAS performance and the school's Vision of the Graduate, plus reports on fifth grade celebration planning and parent/community engagement initiatives.

FEB 26, '25

Committee voted to provide a letter of support for the City’s purchase and improvement plan for 128 Kimball Road (drinking-water protection and passive recreation). The meeting also reviewed Town Forest trail reblazing plans (including temporary routing through 74 Kimball Road) and discussed organizing invasive-plant removal in Powow Hill Conservation Area.

FEB 25, '25

Council approved several mayoral orders and ordinances (2025-011 through 2025-020) including surplus vehicle declarations, a copier lease authorization, a firefighter safety grant, a $50,000 downtown lighting earmark, amendments to the revolving funds ordinance (2025-018), two sewer fund appropriations (2025-019 and 2025-020), and confirmed two mayoral appointments; the Council also passed Resolution 2025-024 urging revision of the Chapter 70 school funding formula.

FEB 24, '25

Approved site plan and special permit for 80 Haverhill Rd (with conditions and waivers) and the Board voted to support the redevelopment concept for 5 School St. and 9 School St.

FEB 20, '25

Subcommittee recommended positively advancing three mayoral measures to the full City Council: 2025-016 (intermunicipal agreement for Public Health Excellence shared services grant), 2025-017 (new Outdoor Dining Ordinance to regulate temporary use of City property and fees), and 2025-018 (amendments to establishment of departmental revolving funds).

FEB 19, '25

2024-096 (Ordinance to expand the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) was discussed and continued; the committee gave a positive recommendation on 2025-021, an Order to appropriate $500,000 from Free Cash for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Field improvements.

FEB 18, '25

Discussed publicity around the Facilities Master Plan (including the circulation desk move) and planned informational materials about the upcoming library budget, including an infographic and usage charts.

FEB 18, '25

Subcommittee recommended positive action on multiple funding and policy items: accept a $18,989 firefighter safety equipment grant (2025-014) and a $50,000 downtown lighting earmark (2025-015); appropriate $332,200 and $120,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for sewer fleet replacement and grinder pump repairs (2025-019, 2025-020); and recommend a $500,000 Free Cash appropriation for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Ball Field improvements (2025-021). The committee also forwarded the proposed Outdoor Dining Ordinance (2025-017) to full Council pending outreach to the Chamber of Commerce and OCED.

FEB 13, '25

The commission found 13 Merrimac St, 95 Elm St, and a small outbuilding at 15 Lake St not historically significant, and approved submitting a FY2026 Historical Commission budget proposal requesting $23,135 (including $20,000 for a resource inventory/survey).

FEB 13, '25

Director's Report will cover Costello Center updates and Winter/Spring programming for older adults, plus FCOA and COA team updates.

FEB 12, '25

The board will consider several policy votes (Public Services, Reference Services, Library Collection Development), votes on fiscal/consultant matters including Trustee Trust Fund allocation for project management, FY26 budget approval, and selection of an FY27-29 strategic planning consultant.

FEB 11, '25

Council confirmed two mayoral appointments including the new Human Resources Director (2025-010) and approved a $50,000 legislative earmark referral for downtown lighting improvements (2025-015). The Council also referred a proposed $500,000 appropriation from Free Cash for Amesbury High School 90' Diamond Ball Field Improvements (2025-021) and an Outdoor Dining Ordinance (2025-017) to relevant committees for further review.

FEB 11, '25

FEB 10, '25

Board approved sign permits at 34 Market St. and 100 Macy St., approved an ADU at 233 Lions Mouth Rd., directed staff to draft a decision for the 80 Haverhill Rd. historic-preservation project, and endorsed Option 2 for Bill 2024-096 (REDD zoning amendment) sending it back to staff for refinement.

FEB 5, '25

Project review of the Rocky Hill Development (≈380 mixed residential units): discussion focused on roadway design and traffic improvements on Route 110 (including proposed westbound widening and crosswalk upgrades), sewer and water capacity testing, stormwater basins, and a required road safety audit and traffic monitoring program per the EIR.

FEB 4, '25

Key items include election of 2025 officers, a vote to reallocate unused 2024 grant funds to 2025 applicants, updates on the Cultural Center rehab and ACC organization, and consideration of financial support for Cashman School’s Indigenous Storytelling project and Juneteenth. The agenda also covers Open Studios 2025 and upcoming event dates.

FEB 3, '25

The City Council and Planning Board appointed Tom Salemi to fill the remainder of a Planning Board vacancy (2024-135) by unanimous vote.

FEB 3, '25

The Commission approved NOI 002-1343 for 26 Merrimac St. with NHESP conditions and granted a Certificate of Compliance (RCOC 002-1194) for 460 Main St. Emergency tree-removal certifications at 10 Pinewood Rd and 54 Pleasant Valley Rd were ratified, a one-year extension to OOC 002-1259 for 77 Macy St was approved, and the Commission authorized an appraisal expenditure for 128 Kimball Rd to support a Drinking Water Supply Protection grant application.

JAN 29, '25

Finance sub-committee reviewed the Library's proposed FY26 staffing additions (roughly $76,000) to maintain level services, a proposed $66,000 line for non-emergency municipal maintenance, a 5% increase to the books budget, and a $2,000 operating-budget shift to support archives; the committee also noted the city's new $25,000 capital threshold.