Meetings

MAR 23, '26

Board reviewed a major pre-application for Meadowbrook Landing Drive (a clustered subdivision near Lake Attitash), held a public hearing on restoration and infill at 19 Prospect Street, authorized peer review for 29 Lake Attitash Road, and approved a minor modification increasing units at 80 Haverhill Road from 4 to 7.

MAR 19, '26

TRC recommended approval to the Mayor for outdoor dining at Barking Dog (18 Friend St), Silvaticus Brewery (9 Water St), and Market Square Bakehouse (5 Market Square); the committee also heard a detailed presentation of the 95‑unit 40B cottage community proposed at 27 Kimball Rd (ZBA public hearing scheduled, peer review expected).

MAR 18, '26

Finance committee reviewed January financials showing a roughly $100K favorable variance (including a $75K Foundation request) and discussed FY2027 budget planning; DESE revenue is holding with a 6% projection and the committee will develop proposed salary increases for the April meeting.

MAR 17, '26

Discussion of shifting trash pickup costs from the City levy to a resident fee model (pay-as-you-throw options), strategies to divert food waste from the municipal trash stream, and an expected ~3% increase in trash costs for FY27 with combined trash/recycling exceeding $2 million.

MAR 16, '26

Discussion and decisions on a $5,000 Creative County grant application, finalizing a 3-month Artist Education Series plan, and continuing planning for the first exhibit at the Cultural Center.

MAR 13, '26

The board authorized school counsel to draft and submit the Board’s formal response to an Open Meeting Law complaint concerning the February 25 posting of the 30/60/90 plan, noting a technical posting error has been corrected and the documents published.

MAR 12, '26

MAR 11, '26

CDBG grant hearing: presentations by Pettingill House, Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, and Our Neighbors’ Table, and a Community & Economic Development presentation requesting funding for a Housing Rehab Program; the Trust also received a financial-planning presentation from Judi Barrett of Barrett Planning Group.

MAR 10, '26

Council approved a reduced Free Cash appropriation (2026-029) of $55,000 and confirmed three appointments to local authorities (2026-062; 2026-063; 2026-064, with a residency waiver). The council also referred a proposed amendment to Accessory Dwelling Unit rules (2026-068) to the Ordinance & Administration Committee and the Planning Board, scheduling a public hearing for April 14, 2026.

MAR 9, '26

Pre-application presentation for a 216-space, two-building condominium project at 28 Haverhill Rd. (including 20% affordable units) and continued public review of the large Rocky Hill Development with VHB traffic review and MassWorks-funded Route 110/Elm St. corridor improvements; Planning Board also advanced the 14 Maple St. historic preservation application and accepted a Board resignation to be forwarded to City Council.

MAR 9, '26

Presentation of the Poet Laureate plaque to Bryan Riley, an update on current finances and recent/planned Poet Laureate activities, and review of updated Poet Laureate Support Guidelines with potential edits and next steps to present to the Arts & Culture Commission (ACC).

MAR 5, '26

Public hearing: 27 Kimball Road (Chapter 40B) — developer presented a proposed 95-unit cottage-style build-to-rent community with 25% affordable units; ZBA authorized staff to solicit peer review (civil/stormwater, hydrology, traffic, conservation) and requested interdepartmental comments, and scheduled a special meeting on April 9, 2026 to continue review.

MAR 5, '26

The commission will consider historic-preservation matters at 19 Prospect Street (determination of historic eligibility) and 40 Prospect Street (occupancy permit and review of executed preservation restriction). The agenda also includes a discussion of the Demolition Bylaw.

MAR 5, '26

Pre-application presentation for a proposed project at 10 Chestnut Street.

MAR 4, '26

Executive Committee confirmed DESE/SchoolWorks interviews for March 12, discussed school‑calendar constraints including possible post‑Labor Day starts and the June 30 legal limit, and reviewed plans for the March 28 Board retreat; leadership announced a transition away from external HR provider BlueLion and the need to update the website link from a 2011 Grievance Policy to the current 2015 Complaint Policy.

MAR 4, '26

Council approved a package of mayoral reappointments (2026-054 through 2026-061), adopted amendments to the Cemetery Ordinance (2026-041), and authorized multiple grants and appropriations including the North Shore HOME grant (2026-042), the MassWorks grant (2026-037), the revised AHS ball field transfer (2026-027), and a $200,000 appropriation to Stabilization (2026-028). Public comment raised concerns about funding for 2026-029 (an appropriation from Free Cash) which the council deferred to a later meeting.

MAR 4, '26

Trustees will receive an update on the Massachusetts Preservation Project Grant and will discuss and vote on the FY27 budget. The agenda also includes consideration of matters not reasonably anticipated in advance of the meeting.

MAR 3, '26

The council will consider use and programming of the Amesbury Cultural Center including a vote on a proposal, review Open Studios 2026, Art @ City Hall, and public art projects, and vote to fund a plaque for the new Poet Laureate. The meeting also includes discussion of the council's core values and goals for 2026.

MAR 3, '26

MAR 2, '26

Pre-application review for 29 Water St.: proposal to convert a historic mill to six residential units under a Historic Special Permit (parking waiver and affordable-unit options discussed). The Board also reviewed proposed internal administrative procedures for submittals, deadlines, interdepartmental memos, and pre-decision hearings.