Meetings

SEP 26, '24

Public hearings: River Run Lending Center at 43 Main St received a variance to allow a larger permanent sign (approval conditioned on Planning Board sign-permit approval); Michael McCarthy at 25 Greenwood St received a variance for setback relief to permit a garage to be constructed into the setback.

SEP 26, '24

Project status update for the AES School Building project will be discussed, along with votes to approve the July 25, 2024 meeting minutes, and approval of commitments and invoices. The committee will also set a proposed next meeting date.

SEP 26, '24

Discussion of an Environmental Site Assessment for the Trader Allen Truck Stop property and findings presented by LSP Jon Higgins; consideration of project goals including potential assisted living uses; and discussion of surplusing and disposition of 5 and 13 School Street with project prioritization and next steps.

SEP 25, '24

Appointments and policy work: the committee will consider appointing a member to the Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee and review ongoing project work including the Trail Assessment Report (draft anticipated), proposed rules/regulations for the Town Forest, and the Battis–Po Hill report.

SEP 25, '24

Trust authorized a $97,106.30 appropriation from Housing Trust funds to cover CDBG audit-identified deficits, supported development of a down-payment assistance proposal for first-time buyers, and OCED recommended expedited disposition of the Ordway School and Orlando-Bagley properties to return them to the tax rolls.

SEP 24, '24

Council approved multiple ordinances and budget orders including 2024-109 (increase CPC membership), 2024-112 (fire safety fees, as amended), 2024-114 (animal hearing authority, as amended), zoning ordinances 2024-085 and 2024-086, and amended the Retail Marijuana Overlay District (2024-087); the Council also accepted an easement at 130 Market St. (2024-097) and approved National Grid pole petitions at 58 Highland St. (2024-117) and 16 South Hunt Rd. (2024-118).

SEP 24, '24

Discussion of an ATB (Appellate Tax Board) case decision and a meeting with ATB case homeowners regarding property values, and review of Chapterland applications.

SEP 24, '24

Policy review of ADB (Title I Parental Involvement), LBC (Relations with Nonpublic Schools), and BDDH-E (Guidelines for Participation at School Committee Meetings).

SEP 23, '24

Agenda includes votes on a Camp Bournedale field trip; approval of the superintendent’s goals; adoption of three policies (IMG – Animals in School; GCF – Employee Hiring; IKFA – Graduation); a $660,454 budget transfer; and the appointment of Michelle Parsons as a nurse at Amesbury High School.

SEP 23, '24

The Board approved site-specific decisions including the site plan and special permits (and three waivers) for 2 and 13 Merrimac St.; authorized a peer review by Stantec for stormwater on 31 Newton Rd.; and discussed Bill 2024-096 (REDD zoning amendment), pausing action and directing staff to draft stronger performance standards before the next meeting.

SEP 19, '24

Agenda includes Amesbury High School updates and a review of the School Improvement Plan.

SEP 18, '24

The subcommittee continued consideration of Ordinance 2024-096 (expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District) after extensive public opposition citing runoff and Lake Attitash impacts, and forwarded positive recommendations on multiple zoning measures and orders — 2024-085, 2024-086 (including proposed amendments), 2024-087, 2024-097 (easement at 130 Market St), and 2024-098 (MBTA Communities Act overlay) — to the full City Council.

SEP 18, '24

Planning Board site visit at 55 Birchmeadow Rd., Amesbury on September 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM to inspect the property.

SEP 17, '24

Agenda includes orders and ordinances on: acceptance of a FY25–FY26 Elder Mental Health Outreach Team grant (2024-078); Quality of Life Fund appropriation for Collins Street Park improvements (2024-080); a $6,063,254 borrowing authorization for the AMS Performance Center roof replacement (2024-081); renewal of the Salisbury inter-municipal animal control agreement (2024-082); changes to Fire Safety inspection and permit fees (Ordinance 2024-112); and amendments to the FY25 operating budget (2024-115).

SEP 17, '24

Agenda includes discussion of the Franco‑American Memorial flagpole, review of the E.P. Wallace War Memorial, and a care/custody policy discussion for Amesbury war memorials, plus maintenance needs and updates.

SEP 16, '24

Committee agenda includes consideration of multiple zoning and ordinance amendments: 2024-085 (Cluster Residential & Water Resource Protection District), 2024-086 (Historic Preservation special permit), 2024-087 (extend Retail Marijuana Overlay District), 2024-096 (expand Renewable Energy Development Overlay District), 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay), 2024-099 (cannabis retail license limits), 2024-109 (Community Preservation Committee membership), 2024-112 (fire inspection/permit fees), 2024-114 (Animals code—dangerous/nuisance dog hearing authority), and an order to accept an easement at 130 Market St (2024-097).

SEP 13, '24

Agenda includes updates on the Amesbury High School (AHS) baseball field and other facilities, and consideration of budget transfers and revolving-account review.

SEP 12, '24

Continued public hearing on Bill 2024-096 (zoning amendment) to expand the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District, plus review of sign permit applications for 57 Main St. and 58 Macy St. The board will also consider covenants and bonds under administrative business.

SEP 12, '24

Agenda includes an update on the Spotlight marketing rollout and a scheduled review/expected vote on Spotlight applications.

SEP 12, '24

Agenda includes introduction/update of School Council members, review of the 2024–2025 School Council meeting dates, clarification of council roles and quorum requirements, and review of Grades 1–2 DIBELS assessment data.