Meetings

APR 29, '24

Presentation of the I AMesbury 2030 Master Plan followed by a Planning Board discussion about transitioning to in-person meetings.

APR 25, '24

Approved a Special Permit/Finding (XI Special Conditions K.2) for an in‑law apartment addition at 66 Clinton St., conditioned on construction per submitted plans and not exceeding 30% of gross floor area.

APR 24, '24

Mass Audubon presented draft goals and objectives for the Woodsom Farm / Town Forest management plan focused on zoning, mowing for grassland-bird habitat, and public education; ARPA-funded consulting is committed for the Woodsom Farm plan and a follow-up Battis Farm land-management report is planned for July–December 2024.

APR 24, '24

Public hearings on dangerous/nuisance-dog determinations at 47 Macy St (dog ‘Scrappie’) — nuisance designation with tethering requirements when removed from the dwelling — and at 58 Congress St (dog ‘Rebel’) — declared a dangerous dog with restrictions under MGL c.140 §157(c) i, ii, iii, and v.

APR 23, '24

Council approved several budget actions including 2024-052 ($30,000 water appropriation), 2024-053 (accept $19,760 grant from the Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women), 2024-054 (accept $19,000 firefighter safety equipment grant), and 2024-056 (transfer $50,000 within the Police budget); the council also discharged 2024-055 (proposal to increase Retirement Board stipends) from committee for full consideration and referred 2024-061 (Economic Development earmark $150,000), 2024-062 (FY25–FY27 public health shared services grant), and 2024-063 (Pedestrian Bridges earmark $12,500) to Budget & Finance.

APR 22, '24

Public hearings on redevelopment of the marina/restaurant at 2 and 13 Merrimac St., a proposed 100'x180' practice field and expanded parking at 12 South Hunt Rd., and a continued hearing for 87 S Hampton Rd. were discussed; the Board also determined a minor earthwork modification for 12 South Hunt Rd.

APR 18, '24

Approved outdoor dining applications for Market Square Bakehouse (5 Market Square), Outrider Beer Co. (35 Main Street), Blue Moon Kitchen & Bar (26 Millyard #8), Barking Dog Bar & Grille (21 Friend Street), and Brewery Silvaticus (9 Water Street); approvals are contingent on ABCC approval or passage of Bill $.1325.

APR 16, '24

Approved 2024 outdoor dining permits for Outrider Beer Company, Brewery Silvaticus, Blue Moon Kitchen (with sod-repair stipulation), Barking Dog Grill (with barrier/driveway/ADA stipulations), and Market Square Bakehouse; discussion and public comment on the proposed Marina redevelopment at 2 and 13 Merrimac St., which was continued for further review.

APR 16, '24

The Budget & Finance Committee advanced several fiscal orders to the full City Council: 2024-052 (transfer $30,000 from Water Retained Earnings to Water Other Expenses), 2024-053 (accept a $19,760 grant/donation for the Council on Aging), 2024-054 (accept a $19,000 firefighter safety equipment grant), and 2024-056 (transfer $50,000 within the Police budget). Order 2024-055 (increase Retirement Board stipends and create a City Treasurer stipend) was referred to the Ordinance & Administration subcommittee.

APR 11, '24

The Planning Board approved storefront sign applications for Apricot Lane at 19 Main St. and Century 21 at 87 Main St.; both received positive recommendations from the Design Review Committee.

APR 11, '24

APR 10, '24

Trustees approved using $6,627 in State Aid to buy nine air purifiers for the library; the library's Facilities Master Plan consultant (Bruner/Cott) has signed the contract and visited the building.

APR 9, '24

Council approved the appointment of an Interim Chief Financial Officer (2024-048) and passed Administrative Order AO 2024-002 reorganizing Human Resources and Information Technology; the Council also referred multiple budget/grant orders (2024-052 through 2024-058) including a Preservation Restriction for 6 Center Street (2024-058) to committees and set dangerous dog hearings for Arthur Amirault (2024-059) and Zachary Kozdra (2024-060).

APR 4, '24

APR 2, '24

The Technical Review Committee revised the municipal outdoor dining application and process: plans must include fire department connections and hours of operation, applicants must obtain TRC technical/layout approval plus separate Liquor License Commission approval to serve alcohol, and no application fee will be charged initially.

APR 2, '24

The council approved making grant payments to artists by direct payment rather than reimbursement, approved moving a Delvena Theater Company performance to the Amesbury Library with a show change (live Zoom presentation), and authorized $200 for updated marketing materials.

APR 1, '24

Subcommittee voted to fold changes from ordinances 2024-016, 2024-017, and 2024-022 into omnibus rules order 2024-002, returned 2024-018, 2024-020, and 2024-021 to the full City Council with negative recommendations, and moved a Dangerous Dog hearing provision from 2024-019 into 2024-002.

APR 1, '24

Commission approved an OOC for utility work on South Hunt Road (NOI 002-1329), authorized a stormwater peer review for the proposed marina redevelopment at 2 & 13 Merrimac St (NOI 002-1330), approved NOI 002-1328 for 72 Elm St with special conditions on snow storage and deicing, issued COCs for 3 Erin Rd and 66 Clinton St, and granted multiple 2-year OOC extensions for properties on South Hampton and Kimball Road.

MAR 26, '24

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments to boards and committees and passed several budget orders including 2024-014 (opioid settlement fund appropriation $114,123.63), 2024-015 (DPW snow & ice overspend authorization), 2024-026 (school collective bargaining settlements $310,396.12), 2024-027 (Cashman Playground appropriation $106,678.15), and authorized the ACTV renewal agreement 2024-029.

MAR 26, '24

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments (2024-032 through 2024-047), passed Orders creating an Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund (2024-014) and authorizing overspend of the FY2024 snow & ice appropriation (2024-015), approved school-related appropriations for collective bargaining (2024-026) and Cashman Playground (2024-027), and renewed the ACTV agreement (2024-029).