Meetings

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

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.

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 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.