Meetings

SEP 9, '26

Board forwarded a $5,000 MCOA grant to the City Council for formal acceptance and transfer to the COA; discussions focused on tracking program attendance, outreach, and Costello Center space use.

SEP 8, '26

Council approved three mayoral appointments (Jonathan Greeno to the Board of Assessors, Travis Souther to the Trustees of the War Memorials) and reappointed City Clerk Jennifer E. Smith; the council accepted District 2 Councilor Claudel Frederique’s resignation and declared the seat open. The Bay St. National Grid underground conduit/pole hearing (WR#31343970) was continued, and several substantive matters — including the City Clerk Salary Ordinance (2026-128), an order to accept M.G.L. c.140 §139 (2026-129), a $25,000 FY27 Field Demonstration grant (2026-130), and a $30,000 Smart Growth Stabilization Fund appropriation for neighborhood traffic calming (2026-133) — were referred to the Standing Committee of the Whole.

SEP 8, '26

Council discussed pursuing a Massachusetts Cultural District designation (City as applicant, Cultural Council as partner) and reviewed a stalled two-mural public-art proposal (declined for this cycle; applicant encouraged to reapply). The council also advanced Open Studios 2026 preparations, hiring a brochure illustrator and a flyer distributor and assigning event roles.

SEP 8, '26

The commission approved the Notice of Intent and issued an Order of Conditions for the Rocky Hill Development (265 R, 277 R, 281, 287, 287 R, 287.5 Elm Street). Hearings for projects at 29 Lake Attitash Rd, 4 Lake Attitash Rd, 28 Haverhill Rd, 3 Old Merrill St, and a Chestnut Street (Boston Gas) gas-main/pressure-relief-valve project were continued to the October 5 meeting.

AUG 27, '26

Board adopted the Building Closure and Program Cancellation (Storm) Policy; the School Street project sale was reported as closing soon; MBLC construction grant timeline announced (application opens March, LOI due May 2027) and a Building Committee will be formed to pursue the grant.

AUG 27, '26

The public hearing on the comprehensive permit application for 27 Kimball Road was continued to the ZBA meeting of September 24, 2026, with the public hearing extension set to October 31, 2026.

AUG 26, '26

Members reviewed the draft Community Preservation Plan and proposed a public engagement session (proposed Sept. 9) to solicit public feedback, with requested edits to terminology, representative listings, images, and housing data.

AUG 24, '26

Board approved a storefront sign for The Fruitful Fig at 57 Main St, endorsed an ANR dividing 135-145 Main St, approved a Definitive Subdivision for 14 Maple St with conditions tying it to prior site plan/special permit approvals, and addressed covenant/erosion-bond matters for 29 Water St and 102 Kimball Rd; the Rocky Hill Development site plan and subdivision were discussed and continued to Sept. 14.

AUG 24, '26

The School Committee approved the 2026–27 school handbooks (noting they are living documents) and adopted the district and school committee goals for 2026–27. The committee also received an update on the Whittier regional agreement amendment work related to an MSBA school project and accepted a $1,000 donation for eighth grade social studies.

AUG 17, '26

The Commission continued multiple Notices of Intent, including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R, 277R, 281, 287, 287R, 287.5 Elm St) to Sept. 8 with peer-review consultant BETA requested to attend, and approved a Certificate of Compliance for 26 Merrimac St.

AUG 10, '26

Planning Board signed off on the ADU design at 12 Oak St (subject to building-inspector review), asked staff to draft a decision for the Rocky Hill Development, and approved a minor modification rotating the house at 102 Kimball Rd. The board also approved paving at 7 Birch Ln and released Unit B and Unit C at 101 Market St from their covenant; several other hearings (29 Lake Attitash Rd, 3 Old Merrill St, 28 Haverhill Rd) were continued.

AUG 10, '26

The School Committee adopted policy JKAA (Timeout, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students) with added parent-notification and posting requirements; the committee also authorized surplus disposal of three unroadworthy district vans and accepted $5,000 in donations for the Windrush Therapeutic Writing Program.

AUG 6, '26

The TRC approved the CMMP for 29 Water Street (conversion of the mill building into six condos). The committee also reviewed prospective projects at 46 Elm St. (Sunrise Bagel) and 40 Water St. (Port Pickle indoor pickleball facility), discussing parking, occupancy, site layout, and coordination with inspections, fire, police, and OCED.

AUG 5, '26

Council approved National Grid petition 2026-123 to install underground conduits on Sparhawk St. and Main St. (WR #30531898) related to the new Hillside Avenue substation.

AUG 4, '26

Approved a $3,750 Salem Trolley rental for Open Studios and authorized a $200 budget to boost social media promotion; the Cultural Center added a $50 two-hour rental tier and will offer free weekday use to Amesbury nonprofits in 2026.

AUG 3, '26

The Commission continued the Rocky Hill MBTA Community Development Project hearing (DEP 002-1362) to September 8 and requested Beta (peer reviewer) attend. The Commission also issued a Certificate of Compliance for the retaining wall work at 26 Merrimac Street (DEP 002-1343).

JUL 28, '26

Council approved borrowing $1.6M to purchase up to two fire pumpers (Bill 2026-117), authorized transfers including $15,000 to public health salaries (Bill 2026-119) and $48,000 to the water sick-leave buyback (Bill 2026-118), approved surplus of municipal vehicles (Bill 2026-120), adopted revisions to the Council's Rules and Procedures Addendum L, and confirmed appointment of election workers for the 2026 state elections (Bill 2026-121).

JUL 27, '26

The Planning Board approved signage for Main Street Congregational (135 Main St), Oye Mira (100 Macy St) and Stop n Shop (110 Macy St); released two lots from the 201 Elm St covenant; authorized stormwater peer review/DRC review for a modification at 102 Kimball Rd; and approved a bond reduction with a $12,000 payment-in-lieu for a raised crosswalk at 2 Merrimac St.

JUL 23, '26

Decisions on three residential matters — variance approved for 136 Haverhill Road, finding approved for 10 Portsmouth Road, and special permit plus variance approved for 253 Main Street — and continued review of the 27 Kimball Road comprehensive permit with a staff study ordered to assess whether a Road Safety Audit is warranted.

JUL 22, '26

The committee adopted the language presented in the current draft of the Community Preservation Plan (Passed 4-2-1) and decided the eligibility form will be 'highly recommended'; a public hearing on the plan will be scheduled at a later date.