Meetings

JUN 4, '24

The Cultural Council set Open Studios for November 9–10, 2024 and approved new fee ranges for the event (trolley sponsor $1,800–2,000; signage stops $500–750; Friend of the tour $250–300; artist fee $40–50; guest artist $60–70).

MAY 30, '24

Trustees reviewed Memorial Day activities and agreed to prioritize citywide flagpole maintenance and coordination (locations discussed include Rocky Hill Road, Friend Street, Union Cemetery, Training Field and others) and discussed care/custody and restoration needs for local war memorials, including the Civil War soldiers memorial and a rusted 75-mm cannon at Mt. Prospect.

MAY 29, '24

Mass Audubon presented recommendations for the management and stewardship of Amesbury Town Forest and Woodsom Farm; the presentation was followed by public discussion and a Q&A with the presenter.

MAY 29, '24

FY25 budget hearings and presentations for multiple city departments including Recreation, Library, Council on Aging, Veterans Services, Health/Inspectional Services (including Zoning Board of Appeals), Police (and Harbormaster), Fire, and Whittier Vocational Schools.

MAY 28, '24

Council approved several National Grid pole hearings (2024-073, 2024-074, 2024-075, 2024-076), each with a stipulation that poles be placed at least three feet from the road where specified. The council approved an exemption for the Deputy Police Chief position from Chapter 31 (2024-057), accepted a preservation restriction for 6 Center Street (2024-058), and voted to post proposed Session 14 City Council Rules & Procedures (2024-002) on the city website as amended.

MAY 28, '24

The subcommittee voted unanimously to recommend that Dogtown Restoration Co. be engaged to conserve the library's front doors and the circulation desk and discussed seeking use of unrestricted Trust funds for those preservation projects.

MAY 28, '24

Public hearing on an ABCC all‑alcohol on‑premise license application for Bubble Bar Boston on Main.

MAY 23, '24

The Commission voted 5-0 to designate 230 Main St as historically significant and to start the 60-day review period.

MAY 23, '24

Ad Hoc Budget Committee heard FY25 budget presentations for the Office of Community & Economic Development (including the Planning Board and Conservation Commission) and the Department of Public Works, covering sewer, water, snow/ice, recycling/refuse, and outdoor lighting.

MAY 23, '24

Public hearing: Variance approved for 80 Cedar St — side setback reduced by 1'6" to permit a residential addition.

MAY 22, '24

Ad Hoc Budget Committee held FY25 budget hearings with presentations from the Assessor, Treasurer/Collector, Information Technology, Mayor’s Office (including Legal Services), Administration & Finance, and City Clerk/Elections/City Council.

MAY 20, '24

The committee advanced amendments to the City Council Rules (2024-002) and returned the revised rules to the full Council with a positive recommendation; it also returned bill 2024-057 (a home-rule petition to exempt the Deputy Police Chief from Chapter 31/civil service) with a positive recommendation and approved a preservation restriction agreement for 6 Center Street (2024-058).

MAY 20, '24

Order 2024-058 (Preservation Restriction Agreement for 6 Center St) was returned to the full City Council with a positive recommendation; Councilor Corcoran recused as an abutter. Ordinances 2024-065 (extend R-40 zoning along Haverhill Rd) and 2024-066 (Amesbury Gateway Village SGOD amendments) were continued to the June meeting.

MAY 16, '24

Public hearing on the Amesbury Public Schools proposed FY25 budget, including presentation of a School Committee-approved budget representing a 4.98% increase over the original FY24 budget (4.10% over the adjusted FY24 budget).

MAY 14, '24

Council confirmed four appointments to local boards, approved AO 2024-03 creating a Sustainability and Conservation Planner position, approved an increase to Retirement Board stipends (2024-055), set a June 11 public hearing for the FY25 operating budget (2024-001), and scheduled June 25 public hearings for zoning changes 2024-065 and 2024-066.

MAY 13, '24

Board approved a hanging sign for Looks by Lopez at 14 Market Square, recommended acceptance of the 6 Center St. preservation restriction (Bill 2024-058), granted a 2-year extension for the 39-41 Hillside Ave decision, endorsed the Stantec contract through 2026, and authorized a working group to refine the IAMesbury 2030 Master Plan.

MAY 8, '24

MAY 7, '24

Agenda includes program updates and opportunities: grant recipient event sign-ups and Open Studios listings; a Public Art item focused on the “Carriages to Wheels” project; and miscellaneous matters including Amesbury’s 2030 Master Plan and a non-profit round table recap.

MAY 6, '24

The Commission issued OOCs/COCs and approved permit modifications for several properties: OOC for 117 Whitehall Rd; COCs for 48 Fern Ave and 31 Newton Rd (and lifting the EO at 31 Newton); approved modifications for 386 Main St and OOC 002-1015 (Bailey’s Pond); and issued an emergency certification for 29 Pleasant Valley Rd.

MAY 2, '24

Demolition application for 230 Main St (MACRIS AME.200) was discussed; the commission will perform a site visit the week of May 6 and a public follow-up meeting was tentatively set for May 23. St. James Episcopal Church requested local support for state historic designation and the commission indicated support. Amesbury Public Library was reported as qualifying to pursue National Historic Landmark consideration by MassHistoric.