Meetings

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.

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

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

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

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.