Meetings

JAN 28, '25

Council approved Ordinance 2024-163 updating Chapter 396 Special Events fees (amended per the Mayor's recommendations), adopted revised Amesbury Energy Committee bylaws (2024-119), authorized overspending the FY25 snow & ice appropriation (2025-002), approved multiple budget transfers (2025-003, 2025-004), accepted a portion of Elm Street as a city public way (2024-164), and confirmed several mayoral appointments (2025-006, 2025-007, 2025-008).

JAN 28, '25

Approved the Union Saint Jean Club of Amesbury's application to change its manager and to change its officers/directors.

JAN 27, '25

Planning Board continued the public hearing on Bill 2024-096 (Zoning Amendment expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) and continued applications for 80 Haverhill Rd and 233 Lions Mouth Rd to the February 10, 2025 meeting.

JAN 24, '25

The Program Coordinator (Andrew Suggs) resigned effective Jan 24; the position has been posted and a new hiring process established by Mayor Gove with interviews to be conducted by a panel.

JAN 22, '25

The committee voted to send Order 2024-164 (to rescind Bill 2019-042 and accept a portion of Elm Street as a City public way) to the full City Council with a positive recommendation.

JAN 22, '25

Referrals from the Planning Board on the Meadowbrook Large Solar Array, including a Site Plan application and a Special Permit application, will be reviewed by the Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee.

JAN 22, '25

Review of the Meadowbrook Solar Project application for site plan approval and a special permit.

JAN 21, '25

The Budget & Finance Committee returned Ordinance 2024-163 (Special Events — usage fee schedule and community use regulations) to the City Council with a positive recommendation and reviewed three fiscal orders: 2025-002 (authorize DPW to overspend FY25 snow & ice appropriation), 2025-003 (appropriate $145,193.52 from Water Retained Earnings for emergency pump repairs), and 2025-004 (transfer $1,615 for Youth Services training), all recommended positively (3-0).

JAN 16, '25

Director's Report will cover Age Friendly Task Force work, Costello Center updates, fall/winter programming, and FCOA updates.

JAN 15, '25

O&A sent three substantive items to the City Council with positive recommendations: 2024-163 (an update to Chapter 396 Special Events to establish user fees and regulations for city-owned facilities), 2024-164 (rescinding Bill 2019-042 and accepting a portion of Elm Street as a public way), and 2024-119 (revised Amesbury Energy Committee bylaws, December 20 version, to be forwarded with agreed edits).

JAN 14, '25

Council approved local adoption of the Merrimack Valley Region Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (2025-005), accepted a quitclaim deed for Lot X in the Eastern Lights Subdivision (2024-145), and voted to lay out and accept Colonial Drive as a public way (2024-144; 2024-146). Several budget orders (2025-002, 2025-003, 2025-004) were referred to Budget & Finance with second-reading dates set.

JAN 14, '25

Discussion of applying for or administering the Veterans' Heritage Grant Program, updates and needs for memorial maintenance including flagpoles and a potential tour, and consideration of pursuing Purple Heart City designation.

JAN 14, '25

JAN 13, '25

Planning Board reviewed zoning Bill 2024-096 (REDD amendments) and continued deliberation; the Board found the Meadowbrook solar farm site plan and special permit submission sufficiently complete with conditions, requested scoped stormwater/soils/ecological reviews, authorized staff to identify peer reviewers, and scheduled the Meadowbrook public hearing for February 10, 2025.

JAN 8, '25

Trustees elected officers (Chair Jessica Ducrow; Vice Chair Mak Marstaller; Secretary Laurie Cameron), adopted the revised Library Collection Development Policy (Option 1 formatting), and continued a decision on using Trustee Trust Fund money for project management of the window restoration to the next meeting.

JAN 8, '25

Discussion and comment coordination on the Rocky Hill draft Environmental Impact Report (multi‑neighborhood development with Elm St. access; public comment period noted) and an update on the Meadowbrook 50‑acre solar + battery project (site plan and special permit filed; Planning Board completeness check and public hearing forthcoming).

JAN 7, '25

Jim Wilson was introduced and has assumed the role of Director of Inspectional Services; the Board tentatively set its 2025 meeting schedule to the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM.

JAN 7, '25

Discussion of Open Studios 2025 and Art @ City Hall, including an update on the Chain Bridge collection and plans for the next 12 months; updates on grants including finances and 2025 recipients.

JAN 6, '25

Approved the NOI and waivers for 92 Lake Attitash Rd (replacement single-family dwelling within existing footprint) with monitoring and O&M conditions; ratified Emergency Certifications allowing tree removals at 12 Pinewood Rd (up to 16 trees) and 124 Pleasant Valley Rd (7 dead ash trees).

DEC 19, '24

Public hearings on zoning relief: Michael Silver seeks permits/variances to convert 117 Elm St. from a two-family to a three-family and to alter side setbacks on a pre-existing nonconforming structure; Benjamin Denman seeks a variance for an addition at 9 Osgood Pl. that intensifies a pre-existing nonconforming building.