Meetings

JUL 25, '24

Strategic planning to develop a timeline and process to reach a mid‑October 2024 decision on future school building use, including community engagement, school visits, and analyses of financial implications (no change vs. closure/moves), space availability, and enrollment projections.

JUL 24, '24

Committee approved a package of management recommendations for Woodsom Farm and the Town Forest — including seasonal no-mow zones to protect grassland-bird breeding (May 15–Aug 15), new rules/regulations and signage, dog-leash measures during breeding season, volunteer-driven trail management, and invasive-species control — and noted a referral on Ordinance 2024-096 (expanded solar-array zoning near Meadowbrook Pond) to be taken up in August ahead of City Council's Sept. 25 second reading.

JUL 23, '24

Council approved multiple National Grid pole petitions (2024-089 Poplar St Ext; 2024-090 Main St & Merrimack St; 2024-091 Union St; 2024-092 118 Market St; 2024-093 120 Market St; 2024-094 Oakland St; 2024-095 Highland St) with safety and siting stipulations; adopted Ordinance 2024-083 establishing a Community Preservation Committee (as amended); and referred zoning measures including 2024-096 (REDD expansion), 2024-098 (MBTA Communities overlay), and 2024-099 (cannabis license limits) for further review with public hearings on Sept 24.

JUL 18, '24

Agenda for the Disposition Committee meeting concerning the Trader Allen Truck Stop (39 South Hunt Road) includes evaluation of Environmental Site Assessment report(s), review of previous reports and RFPs, and discussion of existing zoning and potential future uses for the site.

JUL 16, '24

Design Review Committee agenda includes a continued Site Plan Review and Special Permit for 2 Merrimac St. and 13 Merrimac St., and a new Site Plan Review application for 37 Clarks Road (Starbucks).

JUL 16, '24

The agenda includes an application review for a commercial project at 37 Clarks Road (Starbucks).

JUL 15, '24

Ordinance 2024-083 to establish a Community Preservation Committee was returned to the full City Council with a positive recommendation by the Ordinance & Administration Subcommittee.

JUL 15, '24

Conservation Commission site visit to Batchelder Park (the summit of Po Hill) at 92 Powow St., Amesbury, scheduled for Monday, July 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

JUL 14, '24

JUL 10, '24

Agenda includes a vote on allocation of the Trustee Trust Fund and scheduled updates on the Trustee Trust Fund, capital projects, and the Conditions Assessment and Facilities Master Plan for the Amesbury Public Library.

JUL 10, '24

OCED reported an expected ~$300,000 in in‑lieu payments tied to 130 Market St; Disposition Committee updates discussed potential reuse of 59–63 Cynthia Lane (reference 2022-087) and redevelopment options for 21 Pond View Ave; Council ordinance 2024-083 (Community Preservation Committee) was noted as having no Housing Trust seat.

JUL 9, '24

Council unanimously approved Resolution 2024-088 supporting a Massachusetts PARC Grant application for renovations to the Brian Eldridge Memorial Skate Park and approved updated Council Rules 2024-002; three zoning ordinance amendments (2024-085, 2024-086, 2024-087) were referred to the Planning Board and relevant committees with second readings and public hearings scheduled for September 24, 2024.

JUL 8, '24

The Planning Board approved sign permits for Dollar General (198 Main St.) and Casa Maria (37 Main St.), continued review of development applications at Merrimac St. and South Hunt Rd. pending peer-review responses, and requested written DPW confirmation before releasing remaining bond funds for 19 Evans Place (Point Shore).

JUL 2, '24

Continued design-review applications for signs at 198 Main St. (Dollar General) and 37 Main St. (Casa Maria).

JUL 1, '24

The Commission approved wetland permits for a seasonal dock at 51 Lake Attitash Rd (contingent on a revised plan), approved drainage improvements along Friend St. & Lindbergh Ave., approved shoreline/landscape work at 28 Birchmeadow Rd with planting plan conditions, issued a Negative Determination for sediment sampling at 7 Noel St (Powwow River), and confirmed a Certificate of Compliance for 193 Lions Mouth Rd.

JUN 27, '24

Disposition Committee schedules a site visit to the Trader Allen Truck Stop at 21 Pond View Ave and a follow-up meeting to discuss site background, an environmental site assessment, prior surplusing, existing zoning, project goals, and next steps.

JUN 25, '24

Council approved zoning changes: Ordinance 2024-065 extending R-40 along Haverhill Road and Ordinance 2024-066 amending the Amesbury Gateway Village Smart Growth Overlay District; authorized a $6,063,254 appropriation for the AMS Performance Center roof replacement (2024-081); accepted a $298,834 Elder Affairs grant for the Council on Aging EMHOT program (2024-078); and set a dangerous-dog hearing for 11 Willowdale Ct (2024-084).

JUN 25, '24

The committee reviewed a Commonwealth designation of part of the south hill at Woodsom Farm as a Priority Habitat for eastern meadowlarks, which may restrict mowing until after the May 15–Aug 15 breeding window and affect July 4 fireworks plans. Members also discussed the Town Forest/Woodsom Farm management report and noted contracts are being finalized for a trail assessment (Woodsman Inc./Matthew Simth) and a land‑management report for Battis Farm and Powow Hill Conservation Area.

JUN 25, '24

The agenda includes a presentation on high school graduation exercises (IKFA) by Danielle Ricci, a policy review of the School Committee's approval process and responsibilities regarding a proposed local private non-profit high school (LBC) with state/federal guidance, and a review of the district Title I parent involvement policy (ADB).

JUN 25, '24

Agenda includes a general discussion of the Boards/Commissions review, review and editing of the committee's report, and discussion of submitting/presenting that report to the Mayor and City Council.