Meetings

MAY 19, '26

Board will discuss potential kratom ordinance, a proposed cannabis smoking establishment ordinance, and restrictions on BESS (battery energy storage system) facilities in the city, with votes to move each forward in the process.

MAY 19, '26

Review of new application for 29 Water Street (site plan and special permit) and sign reviews for 2 Merrimac (Marker 34) and 77 Elm St. (iMarc). An internal review of a site plan for 28 Haverhill Road is also listed.

MAY 18, '26

The Finance & Facilities Subcommittee will consider approving transfers totaling $999,952.00 (vote expected).

MAY 18, '26

Continued Chapter 40B public hearing for 27 Kimball Road: the ZBA selected BSC to perform civil, environmental, and traffic peer reviews and unanimously approved soliciting bids for an independent urban design peer review.

MAY 18, '26

School Committee approved the superintendent employment contract for Stephen Zadrovich and authorized up to $52,720 from the school‑choice revolving account for AHS diamond field improvements; the Long Range Planning Committee final report was also presented with recommendations on enrollment retention, endowment building, facilities utilization, and regionalization.

MAY 18, '26

Commission will consider an enforcement order and Order of Conditions extension for Lions Mouth Road paving, review a modification request for 92 Lake Attitash Road (permit 002-1344), and hear a Deer Island presentation. Also listed is a matter concerning 98F South Hampton Road.

MAY 18, '26

Discussion of the Poet Laureate program’s recent and planned activities and a current financial status update for the program.

MAY 17, '26

Emergency board meeting to review recent governance actions and to hear details about the termination/removal of an E2 teacher during school hours on May 15, 2026, and to determine board next steps related to reputational risk, communications, and organizational risk management.

MAY 15, '26

Agenda includes a 30-minute Committee on Trustees session to discuss the Board of Trustees evaluation, including evaluation of current board members and a review of board norms, governance expectations, and trustee accountability.

MAY 14, '26

Negotiating team will discuss collective bargaining strategy and conduct bargaining sessions with AFT Amesbury representing teachers, nurses, paraprofessionals, tutors, and multi‑purpose facilities technicians.

MAY 13, '26

Agenda includes the library's Budget Report, a discussion/update on a board vacancy, and consideration of scheduling the July meeting.

MAY 13, '26

MAY 13, '26

Discussion of the city's Housing Production Plan and the Trust's response to the City Council, review of Community & Economic Development program updates (Emergency Rehab Note and Subsidized Rental program), and votes on proposed CDBG social services programs to present to the CDBG committee.

MAY 12, '26

Council approved the appointment of Brian Higgins to the Conservation Commission (2026-091) and accepted a donated shed for the Town Park ice rink (2026-082). The Mayor presented the FY27 budget; the Council referred the FY27 Operating Budget order (2026-001) to the Ad Hoc Budget Committee with a second reading and public hearing on June 9, and referred multiple FY27 capital/revolving fund and grant orders (2026-092–2026-097) to the Standing Committee of the Whole. Also accepted as a late file and referred was an emergency sewer appropriation order (2026-098) to fund wastewater plant repairs.

MAY 12, '26

Committee on Trustees reviewed candidate materials and recommended seven candidates to the full board to fill Board of Trustees vacancies, targeting coverage across accountability, finance, development, and other key expertise areas.

MAY 11, '26

Public hearings were held for two development projects: a Special Permit for a ~1,000 sq ft addition at 30 Lake Attitash Road (peer review authorized; hearing continued to June 22) and a Smart Growth site plan for 28 Haverhill Road (Pulte Homes — two five-story buildings, 126 units; board requested peer review of engineering, traffic, and environmental components and continued the hearing to June 8). The board also approved a storefront sign at 80 Main Street and acted on several bond/covenant items related to local development sites (101-107 Market St and National Grid site at 9 Allen Clear Drive).

MAY 11, '26

Committee will review the current financial status and hear updates on recent and planned Poet Laureate activities, and will appoint someone to take meeting notes.

MAY 7, '26

Public hearings and permit reviews for historic preservation at 9 Oakland Street, 29 Water Street (eligibility determination), 2-4 Elmwood (final review), and 14 Maple Street (continued final review and vote). The commission will also review a redlined bylaw with proposed modifications.

MAY 7, '26

Discussion of progress and next steps for the Playful Learning Institute Grant (PreK-3) and review of the Shay Parent School Climate Survey to be distributed in May 2026.

MAY 6, '26

Agenda includes the Director Update reporting a 2025–26 IDEA LEA determination of "Meets Requirements" (96%), a scheduled ELE review the week of June 1, and discussion of Pet and Absentee policies; the Executive Committee will also review COL sign‑ups, a finance update, and Board leadership for 2026–2027.