Meetings

APR 1, '24

Subcommittee voted to fold changes from ordinances 2024-016, 2024-017, and 2024-022 into omnibus rules order 2024-002, returned 2024-018, 2024-020, and 2024-021 to the full City Council with negative recommendations, and moved a Dangerous Dog hearing provision from 2024-019 into 2024-002.

APR 1, '24

Commission approved an OOC for utility work on South Hunt Road (NOI 002-1329), authorized a stormwater peer review for the proposed marina redevelopment at 2 & 13 Merrimac St (NOI 002-1330), approved NOI 002-1328 for 72 Elm St with special conditions on snow storage and deicing, issued COCs for 3 Erin Rd and 66 Clinton St, and granted multiple 2-year OOC extensions for properties on South Hampton and Kimball Road.

MAR 28, '24

Agenda includes a Budget Update and a discussion of the Amesbury High School 'Vision of the Graduate.'

MAR 28, '24

The agenda includes a project status update on the Amesbury Elementary School building project.

MAR 26, '24

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments to boards and committees and passed several budget orders including 2024-014 (opioid settlement fund appropriation $114,123.63), 2024-015 (DPW snow & ice overspend authorization), 2024-026 (school collective bargaining settlements $310,396.12), 2024-027 (Cashman Playground appropriation $106,678.15), and authorized the ACTV renewal agreement 2024-029.

MAR 26, '24

Council approved multiple mayoral appointments (2024-032 through 2024-047), passed Orders creating an Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund (2024-014) and authorizing overspend of the FY2024 snow & ice appropriation (2024-015), approved school-related appropriations for collective bargaining (2024-026) and Cashman Playground (2024-027), and renewed the ACTV agreement (2024-029).

MAR 26, '24

Discuss the district Wellness Policy and report-outs on Section A (Foundation and Basic Commitments) policy reviews: Kate (AA, ABC, AC, ACA, AGA, AGA-E), Brock (ADDA-E2, ADDA-E3, ADDA2-E1, ADDA2-E2), Abigail (AD, ADA, ADDA, ADDA-R, ADDA-E1); ADB item to resolve TFM feedback.

MAR 26, '24

Agenda includes review of the Abrahams Group report, progress on the FY24 school budget, updates on fundraising information gathering, and an update on Northshore Superintendents’ Roundtable/shared services.

MAR 25, '24

Presentation and public discussion of a proposed MBTA Communities overlay and a conceptual multi-family 'Golden Triangle' development on Elm St. — two continued public hearings (2 Merrimac St. and 13 Merrimac St.) were formally closed, and the Board nominated David Frick as its Disposition Committee representative.

MAR 21, '24

Agenda includes a budget dialogue/questions about Cashman School operations and finances.

MAR 20, '24

Council considered multiple ordinances to amend City Council rules: 2024-019 (codifying dog hearings as a separate meeting was referred positively; proposal to reduce council meetings to one per month received a negative recommendation), 2024-020 (attendance requirements for adjudicatory hearings referred negatively), 2024-021 (remote participation referred negatively), 2024-022 (clarifying objections/postponement language referred with a drafting amendment), and 2024-017 (comprehensive amendments to standing committee composition and procedures were adopted).

MAR 20, '24

Trustees approved an additional $2,000 in the FY25 budget for library dues/training and unanimously selected Bruner Cott as the architectural firm for the library Facilities Master Plan; capital items discussed included copper gutter repair, a proposed back ramp (submitted to CDBG), window restoration, emergency lighting, and conservation estimates for the historic front doors and circulation desk.

MAR 20, '24

The agenda includes an FY2025 Budget Workshop for Amesbury Public Schools to review the district's FY25 budget proposals and planning.

MAR 19, '24

Committee discussed establishing safety and dimensional criteria for downtown outdoor dining (including use of parking spaces), noted state legislation on sidewalk alcohol service is pending in the Senate after House approval, and reviewed potential seasonal fees and inventory needs (jersey barriers) for summer dining setups.

MAR 19, '24

The Budget & Finance Committee advanced three funding and contract orders to the full City Council with positive recommendations: 2024-026 ($310,396.12 from Free Cash for Amesbury Public Schools collective bargaining settlements), 2024-027 ($106,678.15 from Free Cash for Cashman Playground), and 2024-029 (renewal agreement with ACTV through June 30, 2032).

MAR 19, '24

The agenda includes review of a new sign application for 19 Main St.

MAR 18, '24

Agenda includes a scheduled vote to approve the Student Opportunity Act Plan.

MAR 18, '24

Public hearing on the Amesbury Public Schools FY ’25 budget at Amesbury High School Auditorium on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

MAR 18, '24

Commission discussed outdoor dining and heard that the owner of Brewery Silvaticus intends to file an alteration-of-premises with the ABCC; the Commission also approved license hour changes for Fortune Bar and Walgreens.

MAR 14, '24

The Commission approved demolition/designation decisions for 297 Elm St and 29 Clark's Road (both found not historically significant) and authorized a letter to the developer's attorney regarding noncompliance at the former Methodist Church, 142 Main St.