Meetings

AUG 21, '24

Council approved three mayoral appointments: Robert Manseau to the Conservation Commission (term to 2/28/2027), Kerry Hamel Pope reappointed to the Amesbury Housing Trust (term to 4/30/2026), and Adeline Matton to the Board of Registrars (term to 2/28/2025).

AUG 13, '24

Public hearing on a dangerous-dog case at 2 Hillside Ave: Council adopted the Animal Control Officer’s recommendation, amended to require the dog be muzzled when outside any physically enclosed space and able to access public property.

AUG 13, '24

AUG 12, '24

The Board approved signage for River Run Lending (43 Main St) and Bubble Bar (39 Main St), approved the 12 South Hunt Rd. athletic field site plan with conditions, sent a positive recommendation on Bill 2024-097 (easement at 130 Market St), and continued deliberation on the Renewable Energy Development Overlay amendment (Bill 2024-096) after extensive public concern about a proposed South Hunt Rd. solar project.

AUG 12, '24

AUG 8, '24

Board approved interim hire of Sue Dysart as part-time Outreach Coordinator beginning 9/3; clinician Cindy Chapper moved to full-time and Cathy Spell was hired as receptionist. The COA reported plans to expand CONEKT:Amesbury broadcasts and to purchase tablets and schedule paid tech trainings.

AUG 6, '24

Board approved $800 for a 4‑pack ad package, selected grant topics (arts education, festivals/community, performing arts, place making), committed a $200 deposit toward the $5,000 Open Studios trolley rental, and approved up to $1,200 for concrete paint to install a Pride Flag on the stairs behind Casa Maria.

AUG 6, '24

Technical Review Committee received an update on the marina redevelopment at 2 Merrimac St and 13 Merrimac St, including a revised site plan with 99 parking spaces, stormwater revisions, a committed crosswalk, and a construction schedule targeting a May 2026 opening.

AUG 5, '24

Continuances were granted for Notices of Intent including 7 Old Merrill and 2 & 13 Merrimac St.; the Commission reviewed a new NOI for 5 Albion St. (retaining wall) and continued review of 31 Newton Rd. (single-family home with stormwater management issues). A proposal to remove trees at Batchelder Park for a scenic view (reduced removal number and mitigation plan) was discussed and tabled for public notification.

AUG 1, '24

Public hearing scheduled for the demolition application at 230 Main St (Sept. 5, 2024). Emergency demolition of unsafe attached additions at 201 Elm St was reported, and the commission noted receipt of an ENF for the proposed 375‑unit Golden Triangle residential development on Elm St that would include demolition of the historically‑listed J.S. True House at 287 Elm.

JUL 29, '24

Approved Site Plan Review for a new Starbucks at 37 Clarks Rd (with conditions) and the Board issued positive recommendations to City Council for three zoning bills: 2024-085 (Water Resource Protection District amendments), 2024-086 (Historic Preservation Special Permit expansion), and 2024-087 (Retail Marijuana Overlay District expansion).

JUL 24, '24

Committee approved a package of management recommendations for Woodsom Farm and the Town Forest — including seasonal no-mow zones to protect grassland-bird breeding (May 15–Aug 15), new rules/regulations and signage, dog-leash measures during breeding season, volunteer-driven trail management, and invasive-species control — and noted a referral on Ordinance 2024-096 (expanded solar-array zoning near Meadowbrook Pond) to be taken up in August ahead of City Council's Sept. 25 second reading.

JUL 23, '24

Council approved multiple National Grid pole petitions (2024-089 Poplar St Ext; 2024-090 Main St & Merrimack St; 2024-091 Union St; 2024-092 118 Market St; 2024-093 120 Market St; 2024-094 Oakland St; 2024-095 Highland St) with safety and siting stipulations; adopted Ordinance 2024-083 establishing a Community Preservation Committee (as amended); and referred zoning measures including 2024-096 (REDD expansion), 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay), and 2024-099 (cannabis license limits) for further review with public hearings on Sept 24.

JUL 15, '24

Ordinance 2024-083 to establish a Community Preservation Committee was returned to the full City Council with a positive recommendation by the Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee.

JUL 10, '24

OCED reported an expected ~$300,000 in in‑lieu payments tied to 130 Market St; Disposition Committee updates discussed potential reuse of 59–63 Cynthia Lane (reference 2022-087) and redevelopment options for 21 Pond View Ave; Council ordinance 2024-083 (Community Preservation Committee) was noted as having no Housing Trust seat.

JUL 9, '24

Council unanimously approved Resolution 2024-088 supporting a Massachusetts PARC Grant application for renovations to the Brian Eldridge Memorial Skate Park and approved updated Council Rules 2024-002; three zoning ordinance amendments (2024-085, 2024-086, 2024-087) were referred to the Planning Board and relevant committees with second readings and public hearings scheduled for September 24, 2024.

JUL 8, '24

The Planning Board approved sign permits for Dollar General (198 Main St.) and Casa Maria (37 Main St.), continued review of development applications at Merrimac St. and South Hunt Rd. pending peer-review responses, and requested written DPW confirmation before releasing remaining bond funds for 19 Evans Place (Point Shore).

JUL 1, '24

The Commission approved wetland permits for a seasonal dock at 51 Lake Attitash Rd (contingent on a revised plan), approved drainage improvements along Friend St. & Lindbergh Ave., approved shoreline/landscape work at 28 Birchmeadow Rd with planting plan conditions, issued a Negative Determination for sediment sampling at 7 Noel St (Powwow River), and confirmed a Certificate of Compliance for 193 Lions Mouth Rd.

JUN 25, '24

Council approved zoning changes: Ordinance 2024-065 extending R-40 along Haverhill Road and Ordinance 2024-066 amending the Amesbury Gateway Village Smart Growth Overlay District; authorized a $6,063,254 appropriation for the AMS Performance Center roof replacement (2024-081); accepted a $298,834 Elder Affairs grant for the Council on Aging EMHOT program (2024-078); and set a dangerous-dog hearing for 11 Willowdale Ct (2024-084).

JUN 25, '24

The committee reviewed a Commonwealth designation of part of the south hill at Woodsom Farm as a Priority Habitat for eastern meadowlarks, which may restrict mowing until after the May 15–Aug 15 breeding window and affect July 4 fireworks plans. Members also discussed the Town Forest/Woodsom Farm management report and noted contracts are being finalized for a trail assessment (Woodsman Inc./Matthew Simth) and a land‑management report for Battis Farm and Powow Hill Conservation Area.