Meetings

MAY 5, '26

City Council will consider establishing an Ad Hoc Budget Committee of the Whole.

MAY 5, '26

Discussion of Open Studios 2026 and updates on public art projects and the Cultural Center; consideration of a proposed fundraising plan by Linday Haight and a vote on funding ACC wayfinding signs; adoption of Core Values and review of goals for 2026.

MAY 4, '26

Major items included review of an RDA for conversion of the brick mill at 29 Water Street (Commission flagged floodplain and riverfront concerns and indicated an NOI/Special Permit and site review are appropriate), a substantial NOI for 28 Haverhill Road (Commission voted to require a combined stormwater and wetlands peer review), and issuance of a Partial Certificate of Compliance for work at 101-107 Market Street.

MAY 4, '26

School Committee approved a full slate of subcommittee appointments and heard major updates: three finalists and scheduled site visits/community forum for the Shea elementary principal search, continued regionalization feasibility work with a report due late May/early June, and formal notice that Amesbury High School remains NEASC-accredited.

APR 29, '26

Approved reservation and allocation of FY27 CPA estimated revenues — $59,427 each to the Open Space, Historic Resources, and Community Housing reserves; $29,713 to the CPC administrative account; remainder to the Budgeted Reserve (Order 2026-094). Appointed Peter Frey, Joe Fahey, and Bob Manseau to the Community Preservation Plan subcommittee.

APR 29, '26

Board declined to adopt a proposed Professional Code of Conduct and approved a 3.5% increase to the salary line for the upcoming school year (allocation to be determined by the Executive Director).

APR 28, '26

Council confirmed three mayoral appointments (2026-088, 2026-089, 2026-090), approved boat-ramp parking permit fee changes (2026-079), adopted kayak/canoe/SUP rental fees for Amesbury Recreation (2026-080), enacted a no-parking rule on Highland (2026-081), approved a transfer to Building Inspection training (2026-083), and accepted a DFS grant for firefighter safety equipment (2026-085).

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.