Meetings

FEB 16, '24

Board voted unanimously to interview three firms—Bruner Cott, CBT, and Oudens Ello—to advance the Amesbury Public Library Facilities Master Plan proposal.

FEB 15, '24

Council approved two mayoral appointments (2024-024: Michael Hogg to the Energy Committee; 2024-025: Thomas Maclachlan to the Council on Aging) and referred several budget orders — 2024-026 (school collective bargaining settlements), 2024-027 (Cashman Playground), and 2024-029 (renewal agreement with ACTV) — to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

FEB 14, '24

Board approved the FY25 Amesbury Public Library budget at the MAR totaling $904,856 (including $1,500 added to Library Training and $500 to Dues & Memberships). City Council will join the board on March 13 to appoint three new trustees.

FEB 12, '24

Pre-application review and revised plans presented for a marina and 85-seat restaurant at 2 Merrimac St./13 Merrimac St.; Board approved release of Lot 4 (1 Brielle Way) from a subdivision covenant (47.5-57 Kimball Rd.).

FEB 6, '24

FEB 5, '24

Approved Orders of Conditions for 66 Clinton St (NOI 002-1325) and 355 Main St (NOI 002-1326); motion to issue a Certificate of Compliance for 48 Fern Ave (RCOC 002-0953) was denied pending fence/medallion installation; one-year extension granted for OOC 002-1259 (77 Macy St).

JAN 30, '24

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments including Michael P. Kelleher as Human Resources Director and Michelle Foucher to the Open Space, Natural Resources & Trails Commission (charter waiver approved). The council referred Ordinance 2024-014 (create an opioid settlement reserve fund and appropriate $114,123.63 from free cash) and Bill 2024-015 (DPW snow & ice overspend request) to Budget & Finance, and sent a package of Council rules changes (2024-016 through 2024-022) to Ordinance & Administration with a second reading set for March 26, 2024.

JAN 29, '24

The finance sub-committee recommended the FY25 library budget at the Municipal Appropriation Requirement level ($902,856) and prioritized the library's accessible ramp and copper/gutter repairs in the capital plan after revised higher cost estimates.

JAN 25, '24

Public hearings: Watt (7 Old County Rd) granted permission to reapply without prejudice to convert a single-family to a two-family; Sherwood (66B Lake Attitash Rd) granted a Special Permit under Zoning Bylaws Section IX.B to add a second story and enlarge the rear deck.

JAN 22, '24

The Planning Board approved partial bond releases for Bartlett/Rosedale, Point Shore Drive, and Maple St.; the Board also continued the preapplication for 12 S Hunt Rd. to the February 12, 2024 meeting.

JAN 17, '24

Discussion of leveraging proceeds from surplus city-owned properties — including a possible agricultural easement on Congress St near the Salisbury line — to support the Housing Trust, and a review of a refugee housing proposal for the former "Amesbury Chair" property. Members also discussed rental-assistance outreach (including a possible landlord expo), tenant opportunity-to-purchase, and enforcement/collection related to the short-term rental ordinance.

JAN 16, '24

Pre-application review for a proposal at 12 S Hunt Rd for two new 100' x 180' fields, a large retaining wall, expanded parking, and related site work.

JAN 11, '24

Trustees began an inventory and directed further research into the care and custody of multiple named war memorials — including the Civil War Soldiers Memorial, Spanish‑American War Memorial, American Legion Memorial, VFW Memorial/Richard O’Brien, 1st Lt. Derek Hines Bridge, and Disabled American Veterans.

JAN 9, '24

Council will consider several mayoral reappointments to the Boards, Commissions, and Committees Review Committee (2024-002 through 2024-006) and a first reading of Administrative Order 2024-01 to continue the Boards, Commissions, and Committees Review Committee established by Administrative Order 2023-01.

JAN 9, '24

Announced Lisa Phillips as the new Poet Laureate; elected new officers (Sally Nutt as Chair, Ann Johnson co‑chair, Amy Vander Els treasurer, Laura Kozlowski secretary); denied a $3,000 grant request from artist Whitney Dellea and approved featuring the Poet Laureate in an upcoming advertisement.

JAN 8, '24

Approved Form A for 4 Field St. (creating one conforming lot and a non-buildable remainder); public hearings for 87 S Hampton Rd., 2 Merrimac St., and 13 Merrimac St. were continued to Feb. 12, 2024.

JAN 4, '24

The Commission reviewed an owner's request to install skylights at 118 Congress St and voted to designate the property as not historically significant.

JAN 3, '24

Commission approved Certificates/Orders for Lake Attitash (COC 002-1220; OOC 002-1323) and for a 751 sq ft addition at 386 Main St (OOC 002-1324); issued a superseding COC for 18 Woodwell Circle (RCOC ACC20); revised Enforcement Orders for 12 & 14 South Hunt Rd to include a Dec. 7, 2023 mitigation plan and lifted the Enforcement Order for 53 South Hunt Rd.

JAN 2, '24

Council elected Scott Mandeville as City Council President (5-4) and Pamela Gilday as Vice President (9-0); the Council approved Rules & Procedures (2024-002) for referral to the Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee and adopted the 2024 meeting schedule as amended (January 23 moved to January 30; agenda close date set to January 22).