Meetings

APR 28, '26

Development Committee set a Maritime Mixer for May 7 at the Custom House Maritime Museum (Water Street, Newburyport) to welcome incoming Kinderhaus and 8th-grade families; presentations will include the Board Chair, the RVCS Executive Director, and the Museum Director.

APR 27, '26

Planning Board continued detailed review of the large Rocky Hill development (north and south neighborhood architecture, amenities, trails and roadway/public-way intentions) and approved the draft decision for the historic-preservation special permit at 2-4 Elmwood Street. New hearings for an ADU at 84 Congress St. and a historic conversion at 29 Water St. were heard and continued for further review.

APR 21, '26

Council reviewed a proposed $50 Washington Landing boat-ramp parking permit (2026-079), moved a Highland Street no-parking ordinance (2026-081) to the full Council with a positive recommendation, referred the Recreation Department kayak/canoe/SUP fee ordinance (2026-080) to full Council with no recommendation pending answers on insurance/staffing, and recommended acceptance of a donated ice-rink equipment shed (2026-082) subject to liability/maintenance documentation.

APR 21, '26

The board will review and sign approved exemption and personal property abatement packets and will consider approval or denial of real estate abatement applications.

APR 16, '26

Finance committee approved a 3.5% salary increase in the FY2027 operating budget (total FY27 budget $4,130,258); discussion noted a projected 2% tuition increase for 2027 and an estimated 17% rise in healthcare costs.

APR 14, '26

Council approved an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance (2026-068) updating Accessory Dwelling Unit provisions and sent a City Council comment on the 27 Kimball Road 40B application (2026-069). The Council also approved numerous National Grid pole/conduit permits for streets including Market St, Elm St, Mill St, Valley St, Main St, Lake Attitash Rd, Center St and others, and confirmed municipal appointments to the Community Preservation and Energy/EE&S Committees.

APR 14, '26

Appointments to fill two School Committee vacancies (2026-003 and 2026-043). Six candidates will be considered: Thomas Cody; Chris Hunt; Alexandra Laing; Matthew Lipson; Debra Mansea; Pamela Simpson.

APR 13, '26

Board approved Historic Preservation Special Permits for 5 & 13 School St., 14 Maple St., and 19 Prospect St.; approved a sign at 19 Main St.; made a minor modification to the 27.5-29 Clarks Road decision; and voted a positive recommendation on Bill 2026-068 (ADU ordinance amendments).

APR 13, '26

The committee will discuss recent and planned Poet Laureate activities including Poem A Palooza, outreach events such as the StoryWalk at Amesbury Public Library, and coordination around the ACC Amesbury Poetry Month webpage, Creative Haverhill River Bards anthology celebration, and the Gathering of Verses contest.

APR 9, '26

Continued public hearing on the 27 Kimball Road (40B Comprehensive Permit) proposal: the ZBA required revised plans addressing limits-of-work, grading, parking and open space, scheduled an on-site inspection, and advanced peer-review steps.

APR 8, '26

Meeting will review the library budget and facilities (including a birch tree update) and include a discussion on scheduling for the week of the Juneteenth holiday.

APR 8, '26

The committee approved Tuesday, September 1, 2026 as the first day of school for 2026–27; enrollment projections show the school will be full at 288 with a waitlist of 187. Updates were given on the playground project (inspection target dates April 22 and May 6) and progress toward easement approvals needed to release CPA funds.

APR 8, '26

Committee reviewed a bi‑annual board audit from KNS Consulting that recommended establishing a formal Executive Director evaluation, documenting leadership succession planning, strengthening board training/onboarding, and discontinuing the Grievance Committee in favor of stronger school-level complaint procedures; the Committee agreed to prioritize recommendations and refer selected items to the full Board.

APR 7, '26

Agenda includes a presentation of a proposed fund-raising plan, and discussions of Open Studios 2026, Art @ City Hall, and other public art projects.

APR 7, '26

Board will review and sign boat and motor vehicle excise abatement packets and consider real estate abatement applications; the board will also review approved exemption packets and individual exemption applications. An executive session may be held to discuss non-public records under MGL Chapter 59.

APR 6, '26

Commission selected Beta for the wetlands peer review (and VHB for stormwater) for the Rocky Hill development (DEP 002‑1362); issued an Order of Conditions for the power‑line NOI (DEP 002‑1356); approved ANRAD/ORAD determinations for 27 Kimball Road and 28 Haverhill Road; and authorized a Stantec stormwater peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road (NOI 002‑1360).

APR 2, '26

TRC reviewed a major preapplication for a 150‑acre cluster subdivision at 2-6 Meadowbrook Landing Drive and discussed public access, wetlands, utility trenches, and required waivers. The committee approved the CMMP for 80 Haverhill Rd and recommended approval of the updated site plan and Historic Preservation Special Permit for 2-4 Elmwood St, and conditionally approved outdoor dining for Phoenix Café at 19 Main St pending Fire Chief sign-off.

MAR 25, '26

Discussion and referral actions on the Rocky Hill Development (MBTA-zoned Elm St parcels, ~385 units) and the 27 Kimball Road Chapter 40B application; committee circulated a draft Invasive Plant Management Plan for next-meeting review and referral to the Conservation Commission.

MAR 25, '26

Review of the Community Preservation Plan focusing on its proposed structure and timeline.

MAR 24, '26

Councilors took up the 27 Kimball Road (40B) request for comment (2026-069), heard resident safety and runoff concerns, approved a Teams page to compile councilor comments and continued consideration; the Council adopted revised Rules and Procedures (2026-008) restructuring standing committees into a Committee of the Whole. The Council also approved a $20,000 pocket-park earmark (2026-065), transfers from Budget Reserve to Revaluation and Legal Services (2026-066), and acceptance of a $14,858 MIIA wellness grant for public safety (2026-067), and reappointed Craig Bailey to the Retirement Board (2026-070).