Meetings

SEP 15, '26

Councilors continued debate on an ordinance to formalize City Clerk compensation and review procedures, and the Committee recommended approval of: 1) Bill 2026-129 to accept MGL c.140 §139C waiving dog-license fees for residents 70+, 2) Bill 2026-130 to accept a $25,000 FY27 grant to modernize the Costello Center kitchen for Council on Aging services, and 3) Bill 2026-133 to appropriate $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund for pilot traffic-calming measures.

SEP 14, '26

Planning Board approved a detached ADU (site plan and special permit) at 12 Oak Street and approved the definitive subdivision for 2-4 Elmwood Street (subject to recording a historic preservation restriction). The board continued major ongoing projects including Rocky Hill and continued the Lake Attitash Road special permit to October 14.

SEP 8, '26

Council appointed Jonathan Greeno to the Board of Assessors (2026-124), appointed Travis Souther to the Trustees of War Memorials (2026-125), and reappointed Jennifer E. Smith as City Clerk (2026-127); the council accepted Councillor Claudel Frederique’s resignation and declared the District 2 seat vacant (2026-132). The council approved a slate of new business licenses and accepted and referred a late-filed order to appropriate $30,000 from the Smart Growth Stabilization Fund for neighborhood traffic calming (2026-133) to the Committee of the Whole.

SEP 8, '26

The commission approved the Notice of Intent and issued an Order of Conditions for the Rocky Hill Development (265 R, 277 R, 281, 287, 287 R, 287.5 Elm Street). Hearings for projects at 29 Lake Attitash Rd, 4 Lake Attitash Rd, 28 Haverhill Rd, 3 Old Merrill St, and a Chestnut Street (Boston Gas) gas-main/pressure-relief-valve project were continued to the October 5 meeting.

AUG 24, '26

The School Committee approved the 2026–27 school handbooks (noting they are living documents) and adopted the district and school committee goals for 2026–27. The committee also received an update on the Whittier regional agreement amendment work related to an MSBA school project and accepted a $1,000 donation for eighth grade social studies.

AUG 24, '26

Planning Board approved a definitive subdivision for 14 Maple St., endorsed the covenant and final plans for 29 Water St., and approved an ANR for 135–145 Main St. The board heard a Sunrise Bagels pre-application for 46 Elm St. and discussed progress on the large Rocky Hill development (continued for further review).

AUG 17, '26

The Commission continued multiple Notices of Intent, including the multi-lot Elm Street NOI (265R, 277R, 281, 287, 287R, 287.5 Elm St) to Sept. 8 with peer-review consultant BETA requested to attend, and approved a Certificate of Compliance for 26 Merrimac St.

AUG 10, '26

Planning Board signed off on the ADU design at 12 Oak St (subject to building-inspector review), asked staff to draft a decision for the Rocky Hill Development, and approved a minor modification rotating the house at 102 Kimball Rd. The board also approved paving at 7 Birch Ln and released Unit B and Unit C at 101 Market St from their covenant; several other hearings (29 Lake Attitash Rd, 3 Old Merrill St, 28 Haverhill Rd) were continued.

AUG 10, '26

The School Committee adopted policy JKAA (Timeout, Seclusion, and Physical Restraint of Students) with added parent-notification and posting requirements; the committee also authorized surplus disposal of three unroadworthy district vans and accepted $5,000 in donations for the Windrush Therapeutic Writing Program.

AUG 6, '26

The TRC approved the CMMP for 29 Water Street (conversion of the mill building into six condos). The committee also reviewed prospective projects at 46 Elm St. (Sunrise Bagel) and 40 Water St. (Port Pickle indoor pickleball facility), discussing parking, occupancy, site layout, and coordination with inspections, fire, police, and OCED.

AUG 5, '26

Council approved National Grid petition 2026-123 to install underground conduits on Sparhawk St. and Main St. (WR #30531898) related to the new Hillside Avenue substation.

AUG 4, '26

Approved a $3,750 Salem Trolley rental for Open Studios and authorized a $200 budget to boost social media promotion; the Cultural Center added a $50 two-hour rental tier and will offer free weekday use to Amesbury nonprofits in 2026.

AUG 3, '26

The Commission continued the Rocky Hill MBTA Community Development Project hearing (DEP 002-1362) to September 8 and requested Beta (peer reviewer) attend. The Commission also issued a Certificate of Compliance for the retaining wall work at 26 Merrimac Street (DEP 002-1343).

JUL 28, '26

Council approved borrowing $1.6M to purchase up to two fire pumpers (Bill 2026-117), authorized transfers including $15,000 to public health salaries (Bill 2026-119) and $48,000 to the water sick-leave buyback (Bill 2026-118), approved surplus of municipal vehicles (Bill 2026-120), adopted revisions to the Council's Rules and Procedures Addendum L, and confirmed appointment of election workers for the 2026 state elections (Bill 2026-121).

JUL 27, '26

The Planning Board approved signage for Main Street Congregational (135 Main St), Oye Mira (100 Macy St) and Stop n Shop (110 Macy St); released two lots from the 201 Elm St covenant; authorized stormwater peer review/DRC review for a modification at 102 Kimball Rd; and approved a bond reduction with a $12,000 payment-in-lieu for a raised crosswalk at 2 Merrimac St.

JUL 23, '26

Decisions on three residential matters — variance approved for 136 Haverhill Road, finding approved for 10 Portsmouth Road, and special permit plus variance approved for 253 Main Street — and continued review of the 27 Kimball Road comprehensive permit with a staff study ordered to assess whether a Road Safety Audit is warranted.

JUL 22, '26

The committee adopted the language presented in the current draft of the Community Preservation Plan (Passed 4-2-1) and decided the eligibility form will be 'highly recommended'; a public hearing on the plan will be scheduled at a later date.

JUL 21, '26

Committee voted to send Order 2026-117 (a $1.6M borrowing to purchase two fire pumpers) back to the full City Council with a positive recommendation; the committee also recommended favorable action on Order 2026-118 (transfer $48,000 for Water sick leave buy-back), Order 2026-119 (transfer $15,000 to Public Health salaries), and Order 2026-120 (surplus various municipal vehicles and equipment).

JUL 16, '26

Final approvals given for Historic Preservation Special Permits at 29 Water St and 9 Oakland St; commission also authorized a letter endorsing preservation of Duxbury's Powder Point Bridge.

JUL 14, '26

Council approved appointment 2026-116 (Mark Baggeroer to the Design Review Committee), accepted a drainage easement at 11 East Greenwood (2026-106), granted a utility easement at 10 Water Street (2026-107), and adopted amendments to the Solid Waste ordinance with a fee schedule (2026-109). Several budget and transfer orders — including a $1.6M borrowing for two fire pumpers (2026-117) and transfers related to Water and Public Health (2026-118, 2026-119) — were referred to the Committee of the Whole for further review.