Meetings

MAY 28, '25

Agenda includes an update on the AMS Roof Project (windows in the gym) and planning for the school’s Celebration of Learning events.

MAY 27, '25

Approved appointment of Aaron Martin to the Board of Health (2025-061); council approved multiple safety and technology grant orders and a property transfer of the Amesbury Elementary School (2025-044, 2025-049, 2025-050, 2025-051, 2025-052). Several National Grid pole permits for 10 Aubin St., 5 Chester St., Nayson’s Ct. (Heritage Vale St.), Oakland St., and South Hampton Rd. were approved (2025-055 through 2025-059), and Community Preservation Act reserve orders (2025-063 and 2025-064) were referred to the Budget & Finance Subcommittee.

MAY 22, '25

Two zoning matters: a variance request to extend a pre‑existing nonconforming structure at 13 Perkins Street, and a Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit application for 8 one‑bedroom rental units at 276–280 Main Street (applicant has requested continuation to the July 10, 2025 meeting).

MAY 22, '25

Agenda includes an item for MCAS and MAP updates to provide information on state and interim student assessments.

MAY 21, '25

Council held FY26 budget hearings for Community & Economic Development, Planning, Conservation, Zoning Board of Appeals, Inspectional Services and Health, and the Department of Public Works including Water and Wastewater enterprise budgets.

MAY 21, '25

The committee recommended that City Council establish five CPA reserve accounts (Housing, Open Space/Recreation, Historic, Administrative, Budgeted) and transfer set percentages of FY2026 estimated CPA funds (10% to three reserves, 5% to administrative, remainder to budgeted); specific dollar figures were recorded in the minutes.

MAY 20, '25

Budget Hearing #2: City Council reviewed proposed FY26 budgets for the Assessor, Collector/Treasurer, Information Technologies, Mayor/Legal Services, Human Resources, City Clerk/Elections, and Administration & Finance.

MAY 20, '25

Subcommittee recommended forwarding multiple mayoral orders to the full City Council with positive recommendations, including revolving fund spending limits (2025-048), a multi-item equipment lease (2025-049), an IT grant (2025-050), SAFE and Senior SAFE grants (2025-051), transfer of Amesbury Elementary School property (2025-052), and firefighter safety equipment grant (2025-044). It returned the Free Cash appropriation for FY26 capital expenditures (2025-047) to the Council with no recommendation (2-1).

MAY 20, '25

Agenda includes review of continued design applications and a new application for 68 Haverhill Road — Grind and Go Cafe.

MAY 20, '25

MAY 19, '25

Agenda includes a review of School Committee/District goals, consideration of a Conflict of Interest notice and exemption request, and possible approval of budget transfers.

MAY 15, '25

FY26 budget hearing: presentations and questions on proposed budgets for Youth Services (possible fee increases tied to new licensing), Library, Council on Aging, Veterans Services, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.

MAY 15, '25

Agenda includes review of the Amesbury High School budget and staffing/hiring plans, discussion of NEASC accreditation and the Vision of the Graduate, review of the School Improvement Plan, and consideration of the AHS Student Handbook.

MAY 15, '25

Working groups for the School Committee Long-range Planning Task Force will identify the top 3–5 strategies to present to the School Committee on June 16 and block out the presentation format and content.

MAY 15, '25

Board will receive a Public Health Excellence (PHE) grant update and discuss public-health events and communications, including the Lake Gardner Festival (May 31, 2025), a preliminary IED discussion, and syndicated CDC health information.

MAY 15, '25

Agenda includes a CPC budget recommendation to City Council to establish five CPA reserve accounts (Housing, Open Space/Recreation, Historic, Administrative, Budgeted) and to allocate 10% of estimated CPA funds each to Housing, Open Space/Recreation, and Historic reserves, 5% to Administrative reserve, and the remainder to the Budgeted Reserve for FY2026.

MAY 14, '25

Agenda includes a fundraising presentation by Rachel Heine (Columbus Metropolitan Library), an update on the Window Restoration Project, an IMLS funding update, consideration of upcoming Board elections, and the library budget and facilities/capital projects updates.

MAY 14, '25

The committee will review several policies including relations with non-public schools (and related subpolicies), a student records privacy review, an AI acceptable use policy, and a new School Committee guide.

MAY 14, '25

Discussion of the Juneteenth Celebration, updates on district book donations, and previews of upcoming presentations to the School Committee (Playful Learning on June 2 and District Data on June 16).

MAY 13, '25

Council approved Administrative Order 2025-01 creating the grant-funded Department of Public Wellness and referred the FY26 operating budget (2025-001) to a newly created Ad-Hoc City Council Budget Committee of the Whole for further hearings (second reading and public hearing set for June 10). Several mayoral orders and ordinances — including 2025-045 (No Parking on Lafayette St median), 2025-046 (Go Slow Children signage at Riverfront Dr), 2025-047 (Free Cash appropriation for FY26 capital), and 2025-053 (accept easement at 12 Elizabeth St) — were referred to the appropriate committees for review.