Meetings

JUL 13, '26

Planning Board approved the historic-preservation site plan for 29 Water St (including waivers and a payment-in-lieu framework), approved 9 Oakland St.'s site plan with a $10,000 cap on required off-site parking mitigation, endorsed the ANR for 5 and 13 School St., and approved the sign for 26 Friend St.; the Lake Attitash addition at 30 Lake Attitash Rd was approved with DPW stormwater review and ConCom conditions.

JUL 9, '26

Review of 83-91 Macy St (Leaf Water Farms) — a proposed 6,000+ sq ft phased indoor hydroponic growing facility with retail/kitchen and riverfront/bridge access — and discussion of 6 Morrill St (Skog and Stone) — a proposed permanent sauna/bathhouse and lounge; 12 Oak St ADU was listed but applicant absent.

JUL 8, '26

Approved funding: $500 for new Cultural Center rack cards, $4,000 for Open Studios 2026 marketing, and $2,000 for guest performers at Open Studios.

JUL 6, '26

The Commission considered multiple permit matters including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R–287.5 Elm St.) and an ADU at 3 Old Merrill St.; it issued Negative Determinations for 0 Deer Island and 7 Birch Lane, granted a Certificate of Compliance for 28 Lake Attitash Rd. (DEP 002-1284), and lifted the Enforcement Order for Lions Mouth Road.

JUN 25, '26

JUN 24, '26

Committee voted 4-3 to remove language in the Community Preservation Plan’s Community Housing evaluation criteria that prioritized local residents, city employees, and employees of local businesses.

JUN 23, '26

Council approved the Housing Production Plan 2024-2029 (2026-086), authorized a $1,199,660 Seaport Economic Council grant amendment for the Washington Landing Boat Launch restoration (2026-103), and established a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (2026-108). The council also approved revised FY26 inter-departmental transfers (2026-110) and granted storage-permit change-of-ownership approvals for 241-243 Main St (2026-112) and 132 Elm St (2026-113).

JUN 22, '26

Board approved an ANR for 8 Noel St. (creating a non-buildable lot), recommended positive action on Bills 2026-106 and 2026-107 (drainage and utility easements), and approved the site plan and special permit for 84 Congress St. with conditions; continued review of large projects including 29 Water St. and 9 & 9RR Oakland St. for further decision.

JUN 16, '26

Committee forwarded a $1,199,660 amendment to a Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council grant for the Washington Landing Boat Launch restoration (2026-103), advanced an inter-departmental transfers order (2026-110 Second Revision totaling $836,357), and recommended establishing a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (2026-108) alongside amendments and a fee schedule to Chapter 392 Solid Waste (2026-109). The committee also recommended acceptance of a $10,000 FY26 earmark for Amesbury High School soft-shell helmet covers (2026-102).

JUN 15, '26

Continued public hearings on 253 Main Street (Special Permit and Variance) and the revised 27 Kimball Road Comprehensive Permit (40B) proposal; the Board heard design revisions and public comment on the 86‑unit project and requested confirmation of Kimball Road’s acceptance status from DPW and the Mayor’s Office.

JUN 15, '26

School Committee approved a modified, two‑year DESE renewal for Amesbury Innovation High School (removing proposed service‑animal autonomy and adding School Committee approval for any co‑location) and authorized a one‑year contract for the Interim Director of Finance & Operations.

JUN 9, '26

Council adopted the FY2027 operating budget (2026-001) totaling $93,229,971, approved water and sewer enterprise budgets, and authorized funding sources. The Council approved transfers of flammable/combustible storage permits at 60 Haverhill Rd (2026-100) and 23 Rocky Hill Rd (2026-101), referred a package of bills including creation of a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund (2026-108) and amendments to the Solid Waste ordinance (2026-109) to committee, and approved a resolution recognizing June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month (2026-111).

JUN 8, '26

The board approved sign applications for 2 Merrimac St. and 77 Elm St., sent a positive recommendation with edits to the City Council on the Housing Production Plan (2026-086), and authorized Stantec peer reviews for 28 Haverhill Road and the as-built for 2 Merrimac St.

JUN 8, '26

JUN 2, '26

The Cultural Council approved a $500 grant to the Newburyport YWCA to support the 2026 Juneteenth event.

JUN 2, '26

JUN 2, '26

Committee reviewed Mayor Gove’s FY27 operating budget (2026-001) and voted to adopt the FY27 Total Appropriation of $93,229,971, approved the Total General Fund of $84,704,738, and recommended the Library budget of $979,621.

JUN 1, '26

Conservation Commission continued multiple Notices of Intent including Elm Street and Lake Attitash properties, approved an RDA for 29 Water Street with conditions, issued an OOC for 30 Lake Attitash Road and COCs for 58 Lake Attitash Road and a partial COC for 2 Merrimac Street, selected Stantec for stormwater peer review of the 28 Haverhill Road proposal, and approved an amendment to the Lions Mouth Road Enforcement Order.

JUN 1, '26

First reading of updated JKAA/JKAA-R (physical restraint / timeout policy) to align local policy with recent changes to 603 CMR 46.00; follow-up work and legal guidance were requested. The district issued an RFP for an on-site daycare at the AMS middle school and received a single bid from the YMCA of the North Shore. The committee approved end-of-year transfers totaling $999,952 to reconcile salary and benefits lines.

MAY 27, '26