Meetings

AUG 17, '26

The Commission continued multiple Notices of Intent, including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R, 277R, 281, 287, 287R, 287.5 Elm St) to Sept. 8 with peer-review consultant BETA requested to attend, and approved a Certificate of Compliance for 26 Merrimac St.

AUG 13, '26

The board will hear reports from staff (secretary, treasurer, stats, and manager), discuss governance and best practices under a Board Discussion, and receive updates on COA operations, Costello Center activities, programming, and FCOA matters.

AUG 12, '26

Discussion of pay-in-lieu options for affordable housing and reports on community housing programs, including a Community Preservation Committee update and updates on the Emergency Rehab Note Program and the Subsidized Rental Program.

AUG 10, '26

Planning Board signed off on the ADU design at 12 Oak St (subject to building-inspector review), asked staff to draft a decision for the Rocky Hill Development, and approved a minor modification rotating the house at 102 Kimball Rd. The board also approved paving at 7 Birch Ln and released Unit B and Unit C at 101 Market St from their covenant; several other hearings (29 Lake Attitash Rd, 3 Old Merrill St, 28 Haverhill Rd) were continued.

AUG 10, '26

The School Committee adopted policy JKAA (Timeout, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students) with added parent-notification and posting requirements; the committee also authorized surplus disposal of three unroadworthy district vans and accepted $5,000 in donations for the Windrush Therapeutic Writing Program.

AUG 6, '26

The TRC approved the CMMP for 29 Water Street (conversion of the mill building into six condos). The committee also reviewed prospective projects at 46 Elm St. (Sunrise Bagel) and 40 Water St. (Port Pickle indoor pickleball facility), discussing parking, occupancy, site layout, and coordination with inspections, fire, police, and OCED.

AUG 5, '26

Council approved National Grid petition 2026-123 to install underground conduits on Sparhawk St. and Main St. (WR #30531898) related to the new Hillside Avenue substation.

AUG 4, '26

Approved a $3,750 Salem Trolley rental for Open Studios and authorized a $200 budget to boost social media promotion; the Cultural Center added a $50 two-hour rental tier and will offer free weekday use to Amesbury nonprofits in 2026.

AUG 4, '26

Design Review Committee will consider a sign application for Quick Pit Stop at 63 Friend Street and review a modification request for the project at 102 Kimball Road.

AUG 4, '26

Agenda highlights consideration of Bill 2026-109 (Solid Waste ordinance), review of Mass Save Community Partnership issues with the contractor, an update that the Community Power Aggregation has executed a 24‑month PPA, and project updates for National Grid PPP and Lumos Lighting (mobilizing 8/17), plus municipal water- and solid‑waste initiatives including a proposed Water Treatment Plant water‑heater replacement and composting opportunities.

AUG 4, '26

Agenda includes review of the Merrimack Valley Public Health Alliance Annual Report and FY26 recap; votes on FY27 conference registrations (MHOA annual conference and the Environmental Health Yankee Conference) and consideration of the MHOA Tobacco Program FY27; and reviews of the Regional Board of Health fee analysis and intermunicipal agreement/pathway program updates.

AUG 3, '26

The Commission continued the Rocky Hill MBTA Community Development Project hearing (DEP 002-1362) to September 8 and requested Beta (peer reviewer) attend. The Commission also issued a Certificate of Compliance for the retaining wall work at 26 Merrimac Street (DEP 002-1343).

JUL 28, '26

Council approved borrowing $1.6M to purchase up to two fire pumpers (Bill 2026-117), authorized transfers including $15,000 to public health salaries (Bill 2026-119) and $48,000 to the water sick-leave buyback (Bill 2026-118), approved surplus of municipal vehicles (Bill 2026-120), adopted revisions to the Council's Rules and Procedures Addendum L, and confirmed appointment of election workers for the 2026 state elections (Bill 2026-121).

JUL 28, '26

Discussion and possible votes on rental operations and updated rental/TV access policies; upcoming programs including a Community Closet Exchange (Aug 8), online workshops for artists, and fall exhibit/lectures; and facility maintenance funding for a TV sound bar, bulletin board, and kitchen shelving.

JUL 28, '26

Agenda includes a financial review, welcoming new trustees, and discussion of maintenance needs for Amesbury war memorials.

JUL 28, '26

The board will review and sign motor vehicle excise abatement packets (June 1–30, 2026 & July 1–31, 2026), consider 2027 preliminary tax warrants (CPA, real estate, personal property), review a motor vehicle excise commitment (2026-3), and address a 2020 personal property uncollectable tax and a corrected real estate abatement packet.

JUL 27, '26

The Planning Board approved signage for Main Street Congregational (135 Main St), Oye Mira (100 Macy St) and Stop n Shop (110 Macy St); released two lots from the 201 Elm St covenant; authorized stormwater peer review/DRC review for a modification at 102 Kimball Rd; and approved a bond reduction with a $12,000 payment-in-lieu for a raised crosswalk at 2 Merrimac St.

JUL 24, '26

Discussion and vote regarding a July 8, 2026 Open Meetings Law (OML) violation.

JUL 23, '26

Decisions on three residential matters — variance approved for 136 Haverhill Road, finding approved for 10 Portsmouth Road, and special permit plus variance approved for 253 Main Street — and continued review of the 27 Kimball Road comprehensive permit with a staff study ordered to assess whether a Road Safety Audit is warranted.

JUL 22, '26

The committee adopted the language presented in the current draft of the Community Preservation Plan (Passed 4-2-1) and decided the eligibility form will be 'highly recommended'; a public hearing on the plan will be scheduled at a later date.