Meetings

MAR 25, '24

Presentation and public discussion of a proposed MBTA Communities overlay and a conceptual multi-family 'Golden Triangle' development on Elm St. — two continued public hearings (2 Merrimac St. and 13 Merrimac St.) were formally closed, and the Board nominated David Frick as its Disposition Committee representative.

MAR 20, '24

Trustees approved an additional $2,000 in the FY25 budget for library dues/training and unanimously selected Bruner Cott as the architectural firm for the library Facilities Master Plan; capital items discussed included copper gutter repair, a proposed back ramp (submitted to CDBG), window restoration, emergency lighting, and conservation estimates for the historic front doors and circulation desk.

MAR 20, '24

Council considered multiple ordinances to amend City Council rules: 2024-019 (codifying dog hearings as a separate meeting was referred positively; proposal to reduce council meetings to one per month received a negative recommendation), 2024-020 (attendance requirements for adjudicatory hearings referred negatively), 2024-021 (remote participation referred negatively), 2024-022 (clarifying objections/postponement language referred with a drafting amendment), and 2024-017 (comprehensive amendments to standing committee composition and procedures were adopted).

MAR 19, '24

Committee discussed establishing safety and dimensional criteria for downtown outdoor dining (including use of parking spaces), noted state legislation on sidewalk alcohol service is pending in the Senate after House approval, and reviewed potential seasonal fees and inventory needs (jersey barriers) for summer dining setups.

MAR 19, '24

The Budget & Finance Committee advanced three funding and contract orders to the full City Council with positive recommendations: 2024-026 ($310,396.12 from Free Cash for Amesbury Public Schools collective bargaining settlements), 2024-027 ($106,678.15 from Free Cash for Cashman Playground), and 2024-029 (renewal agreement with ACTV through June 30, 2032).

MAR 18, '24

Commission discussed outdoor dining and heard that the owner of Brewery Silvaticus intends to file an alteration-of-premises with the ABCC; the Commission also approved license hour changes for Fortune Bar and Walgreens.

MAR 14, '24

The Commission approved demolition/designation decisions for 297 Elm St and 29 Clark's Road (both found not historically significant) and authorized a letter to the developer's attorney regarding noncompliance at the former Methodist Church, 142 Main St.

MAR 14, '24

Approved the Rotary Club's 'Flags for Heroes' display at Justin Memorial Park (May 25–June 14). Trustees also discussed monument care and maintenance plans — including flagpole repairs, a planned DPW power-wash of the Justin Park walkway after April 1, and a proposed donor brick walkway to be presented at a future meeting.

MAR 14, '24

MAR 12, '24

Councilors amended Rule 6G (Ordinance 2024-016) to remove the prohibition on debate for appeals of the chair and sent the amended ordinance to the Ordinance & Administration subcommittee with a positive recommendation; the council also split Ordinance 2024-017 to forward only the portion re-establishing the Joint Education Committee to that subcommittee for further drafting.

MAR 11, '24

Planning Board approved a revised Mobil sign package at 23 Rocky Hill Rd. (with the top valence to remain text-free), accepted withdrawals of the site plan and special permit applications for 2 and 13 Merrimac St., and approved the erosion control bond/covenant for 101-107 Market St. (with Clause 5 to be removed).

MAR 7, '24

MAR 5, '24

Council approved revised Art at City Hall dates and set the next show theme to 'Mixed Media'; members agreed to pursue public murals including a planned site visit with artist Whitney Dellea and advancement of a Lake Gardner mural supported by a $2,500 MCC festival grant.

MAR 4, '24

Commission approved the resource area delineation for multiple Elm Street parcels (ANRAD 002-1327), issued a Negative Determination for a proposed ADA-accessible bridge at 193R Lions Mouth Rd to connect the elementary school to Woodsom Farm, and approved NOI 002-1326 for 355 Main St including riverfront restoration and special conditions.

FEB 28, '24

Discussion of a grant-funded coastal redevelopment proposal to upgrade the City Marina (sidewalks, crosswalks, and a boarded-accessible boardwalk to Alliance Park), ARPA-funded Mass Audubon planning for Woodsom Farm (Town Forest) and Battis Farm–Powow Hill, and consideration of a USDA 'Farmlands of Local Importance' review for Amesbury agricultural parcels.

FEB 26, '24

Pre‑application review for a proposed synthetic practice field and 51 additional parking spaces at 12 S Hunt Rd.; the Board approved a modification at 130 Market St. permitting a $300,000 payment‑in‑lieu for one required affordable unit (to be paid $30,000 per unit sale) and voted to send recommendations to the Amesbury Housing Trust on use of those funds.

FEB 22, '24

Subcommittee appointed Attorneys Leonard Johnson and Bethany Raffa as non-voting members and accepted the 2024 meeting calendar; consideration of City Council rules-change ordinances (2024-002 and 2024-016 through 2024-022) was continued to the next Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee meeting.

FEB 21, '24

FEB 20, '24

Orders 2024-014 and 2024-015: an order to create an Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund and appropriate $114,123.63 from Free Cash (2024-014), and an order requesting City Council authorization for the DPW to overspend the FY2024 snow & ice appropriation of $250,000 (2024-015).

FEB 20, '24

Pre-application review of a redevelopment at 2 Merrimac St (revised plan for an 85-seat restaurant, marina facility, and associated parking) and an update on the scheduled installation and life-safety plans for an air-supported dome at 12 S Hunt Rd.