Meetings

OCT 8, '24

Council approved Ordinance 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay) as amended and approved AO 2024-05 to add an OCED Senior Project Manager; the Council also appointed Michael McCarthy to the Zoning Board of Appeals and referred Ordinance 2024-132 (adult cannabis retailer licensing) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee.

OCT 7, '24

The Conservation Commission approved a wetland delineation ORAD for 27.5 & 29 Clarks Rd, granted approval and a 25-foot no-disturb waiver for a septic replacement at Market St (motion text referenced 75 Market St), issued Certificates of Compliance for 51 Lake Attitash Rd and 12 Pinewood Rd (with mitigation placards), approved an amendment to 39 Poplar St requiring invasive-species mitigation, waived the $200 COC fee for the Lionsmouth Rd elementary school project, and ratified an emergency tree-cutting certification at 2 Pleasant Valley Rd.

OCT 1, '24

Agenda highlights include updates on grant-funded projects (including Indigenous People’s Day) and the 2025 grant cycle; planning and decisions for the 28th annual Open Studios (brochure cover vote, trolley, musical lineup, publicity); a public art update including a mural at Amesbury Industrial; and calendar items such as the grant application deadline (Oct 16) and Open Studios (Nov 9–10).

SEP 30, '24

Council accepted Councilor Owen Corcoran’s resignation and declared the District 3 City Council seat vacant (vote passed 5-0).

SEP 26, '24

Public hearings: River Run Lending Center at 43 Main St received a variance to allow a larger permanent sign (approval conditioned on Planning Board sign-permit approval); Michael McCarthy at 25 Greenwood St received a variance for setback relief to permit a garage to be constructed into the setback.

SEP 26, '24

Project status update for the AES School Building project will be discussed, along with votes to approve the July 25, 2024 meeting minutes, and approval of commitments and invoices. The committee will also set a proposed next meeting date.

SEP 25, '24

Appointments and policy work: the committee will consider appointing a member to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee and review ongoing project work including the Trail Assessment Report (draft anticipated), proposed rules/regulations for the Town Forest, and the Battis–Po Hill report.

SEP 25, '24

Trust authorized a $97,106.30 appropriation from Housing Trust funds to cover CDBG audit-identified deficits, supported development of a down-payment assistance proposal for first-time buyers, and OCED recommended expedited disposition of the Ordway School and Orlando-Bagley properties to return them to the tax rolls.

SEP 24, '24

Council approved multiple ordinances and budget orders including 2024-109 (increase CPC membership), 2024-112 (fire safety fees, as amended), 2024-114 (animal hearing authority, as amended), zoning ordinances 2024-085 and 2024-086, and amended the Retail Marijuana Overlay District (2024-087); the Council also accepted an easement at 130 Market St. (2024-097) and approved National Grid pole petitions at 58 Highland St. (2024-117) and 16 South Hunt Rd. (2024-118).

SEP 24, '24

Discussion of an ATB (Appellate Tax Board) case decision and a meeting with ATB case homeowners regarding property values, and review of Chapterland applications.

SEP 23, '24

The Board approved site-specific decisions including the site plan and special permits (and three waivers) for 2 and 13 Merrimac St.; authorized a peer review by Stantec for stormwater on 31 Newton Rd.; and discussed Bill 2024-096 (REDD zoning amendment), pausing action and directing staff to draft stronger performance standards before the next meeting.

SEP 18, '24

The subcommittee continued consideration of Ordinance 2024-096 (expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) after extensive public opposition citing runoff and Lake Attitash impacts, and forwarded positive recommendations on multiple zoning measures and orders — 2024-085, 2024-086 (including proposed amendments), 2024-087, 2024-097 (easement at 130 Market St), and 2024-098 (MBTA Communities Act overlay) — to the full City Council.

SEP 12, '24

Agenda includes introduction/update of School Council members, review of the 2024–2025 School Council meeting dates, clarification of council roles and quorum requirements, and review of Grades 1–2 DIBELS assessment data.

SEP 12, '24

Discussion of Age Friendly Task Force work, updates on the Costello Center and upcoming fall/winter programming, and reports from the Friends of the Council on Aging (FCOA).

SEP 10, '24

Council will consider mayoral appointments and several first-reading administrative and ordinance measures including AO 2024-04 reorganizing the DPW Sewer Division; amendments to the Community Preservation Committee, Fire Safety fees, Subdivision Rules for MS4 compliance, and animal/dangerous dog hearing authority; and multiple budget transfer orders affecting mayoral and sewer budgets.

SEP 10, '24

Discussion of the 28th annual Open Studios (including finances, sponsorship, publicity, and volunteers), updates on public art projects including Pride Stairs and a mural at Amesbury Industrial, and programming at Art @ City Hall. The Poet Laureate will present a report and Grants leadership and recipient project updates will be addressed.

SEP 9, '24

Planning Board voted to send a positive recommendation to City Council for Bill 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay for the Golden Triangle) and for Bill 2024-099 (limits on retail marijuana licenses); the Board also appointed an MVPC representative and approved a $6,000 bond release for 19 Evans Place.

SEP 5, '24

Public hearing on a demolition application for 230 Main Street.

SEP 3, '24

Conditional approval of the waterfront redevelopment NOI for 2 and 13 Merrimac St (with waivers and special conditions); approval of NOI and retaining-wall waiver at 5 Albion St (with erosion-control condition); withdrawal of NOI for 13 Newton Rd; Certificates of Compliance issued for 11 West Whitehall Rd and 425 Main St; Commission endorses Town Forest management recommendations and will send a letter of support to City Council.

AUG 22, '24

Approved a Special Permit/Finding for an addition at 18 Woodlawn St (potential setback encroachment), contingent on a legal opinion from Kopelman & Paige.