Meetings

MAY 23, '24

Ad Hoc Budget Committee heard FY25 budget presentations for the Office of Community & Economic Development (including the Planning Board and Conservation Commission) and the Department of Public Works, covering sewer, water, snow/ice, recycling/refuse, and outdoor lighting.

MAY 23, '24

The Commission voted 5-0 to designate 230 Main St as historically significant and to start the 60-day review period.

MAY 22, '24

Ad Hoc Budget Committee held FY25 budget hearings with presentations from the Assessor, Treasurer/Collector, Information Technology, Mayor’s Office (including Legal Services), Administration & Finance, and City Clerk/Elections/City Council.

MAY 22, '24

Discussion of use of FY24 Public Health Excellence Grant funds, focusing on obligating or allocating remaining grant dollars prior to the June 30, 2024 deadline.

MAY 21, '24

Agenda includes Orders to accept a $150,000 Economic Development earmark (2024-061), an FY25–FY27 public health shared services grant (2024-062), a $12,500 FY24 pedestrian bridges earmark (2024-063), and an Order to establish spending limits for departmental revolving funds under M.G.L. c.44, §53E1/2 (2024-068).

MAY 20, '24

The committee advanced amendments to the City Council Rules (2024-002) and returned the revised rules to the full Council with a positive recommendation; it also returned bill 2024-057 (a home-rule petition to exempt the Deputy Police Chief from Chapter 31/civil service) with a positive recommendation and approved a preservation restriction agreement for 6 Center Street (2024-058).

MAY 20, '24

Agenda includes votes on accepting $25,000 from Cashman PTO and a $75,000 state grant for the CES playground, a vote on superintendent vacation buyback, and a vote on grade reconfiguration to move 8th grade to Amesbury High School for SY 2024–25; several district policies are scheduled for first reading (Wellness; ADDA Criminal Record Information; AA School District Legal Status; AC and ACA nondiscrimination; AGA Recognition for Accomplishment and AGA-E submission form).

MAY 20, '24

Order 2024-058 (Preservation Restriction Agreement for 6 Center St) was returned to the full City Council with a positive recommendation; Councilor Corcoran recused as an abutter. Ordinances 2024-065 (extend R-40 zoning along Haverhill Rd) and 2024-066 (Amesbury Gateway Village SGOD amendments) were continued to the June meeting.

MAY 20, '24

MAY 16, '24

Public hearing on the Amesbury Public Schools proposed FY25 budget, including presentation of a School Committee-approved budget representing a 4.98% increase over the original FY24 budget (4.10% over the adjusted FY24 budget).

MAY 16, '24

Agenda includes consideration of use of Public Health Excellence Grant FY24 funds prior to the June 30 fiscal deadline.

MAY 14, '24

Council confirmed four appointments to local boards, approved AO 2024-03 creating a Sustainability and Conservation Planner position, approved an increase to Retirement Board stipends (2024-055), set a June 11 public hearing for the FY25 operating budget (2024-001), and scheduled June 25 public hearings for zoning changes 2024-065 and 2024-066.

MAY 13, '24

Agenda includes an update on the FY24 Library Action Plan and discussion to develop the FY25 Library Action Plan as part of the Long Range Planning Sub-Committee.

MAY 13, '24

Board approved a hanging sign for Looks by Lopez at 14 Market Square, recommended acceptance of the 6 Center St. preservation restriction (Bill 2024-058), granted a 2-year extension for the 39-41 Hillside Ave decision, endorsed the Stantec contract through 2026, and authorized a working group to refine the IAMesbury 2030 Master Plan.

MAY 9, '24

MAY 9, '24

The agenda includes discussion of outdoor dining and pets & service-animal policies, and consideration of the Public Health Excellence Grant.

MAY 9, '24

Agenda includes discussion of improvements to the Spotlight Process and Teaching, Learning, and Equity reports (including DCAP).

MAY 9, '24

Agenda includes review and signing of motor vehicle and boat excise tax abatements, approved exemption and denied real estate abatement applications, review of the Motor Vehicle Commitment Book (2024-2) and valuation warrant revisions, and discussion of two Appellate Tax Board (ATB) cases (May 2 and a June 12, 2024 hearing).

MAY 9, '24

The agenda includes a report from the Abrahams Group on long-range planning, discussion of fundraising strategies, and consideration of Northshore Superintendents’ Roundtable/shared services, plus a timeline and communication plan for next steps.

MAY 9, '24

Agenda includes an FY25 budget update, a review of next year’s class placement process, and plans for end-of-year benchmark assessments at Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School.