Council orders · Ordinances
Ordinances
Every ordinance and council order tracked through its readings, with sponsor, status, and an AI-written plain-language preview.
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An Order authorizing the Mayor to dispose of, by sale or lease, a portion or portions of City-owned property and any structures thereon consisting of approximately .18 acres (8,000 SF +/-) located at 9 School Street (Parcel 52-199, formerly the “Ordway School”) as shown on Exhibit 1, and approximately .07 acres (3,000 SF +/-) located at 5 School Street (Parcel 52-202, formerly the “Orlando 8S. Bailey House”) as shown on Exhibit 2.
This order authorizes the Mayor to dispose of portions of two city-owned parcels for private redevelopment into up to eight housing units on 9 School Street and one single-family home on 5 School Street. The City will retain some land for parking and library use, with sale proceeds funding library restoration. The developer must restore historic structures and meet affordability requirements.
An Ordinance to amend Chapter 334 Licenses and Permits within the municipal code to allow for licensing of adult cannabis retailers within the Retail Marijuana Overlay District.
Adds a licensing framework for adult-use marijuana retailers in Amesbury's Retail Marijuana Overlay District. Caps the number of licenses at 40% of the city's alcohol licenses, rounded up, with a minimum of two licenses. Ties licensing decisions to the city's zoning plan.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council for FY 2024.
Amesbury authorizes accepting a $840,000 grant from the Seaport Economic Council to fund Washington Landing waterfront improvements, including the boat ramp, boardwalk, dock, and parking. The grant is conditional on zoning compliance and requires a contract by end of 2024.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend, for its fifth year, a Drug Free Communities Support Program Grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP).
Authorizes Amesbury's Mayor to accept a federal Drug Free Communities grant for the PACT Coalition's substance-use prevention program. The grant funds are $125,000 in federal money for 2024-2025 with a city match of $203,864, supporting youth prevention and cross-agency collaboration through 9/29/2025.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for FY 2025.
Authorizes the Mayor to accept a $12,600 MCC Local Cultural Council grant for Amesbury's Cultural Council for FY2025. The funds will be deposited into the local fund and used to support local cultural programming.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $29,640.00 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research FY25 Municipal Road Safety (MRS) Grant Program.
This ordinance authorizes the Mayor to accept a $29,640 grant to support the Municipal Road Safety Program. It funds expanded traffic enforcement by the Amesbury Police Department, focusing on distracted driving, impairment, and speeding, through September 15, 2025.
An Order to approve payment from the FY25 general fund operating budget for the below listed prior year invoices.
City Council approves a one-time payment of $17,270.27 to settle prior-year invoices. Funds will be drawn from FY25 budgets for multiple departments and require a two-thirds vote. It covers services and supplies that were not encumbered at year-end.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $35,000.00 from Fire Department Personal Services to Fire Department Other Expenses.
Authorizes a $35,000 internal budget transfer within Amesbury Fire Department to fund two employees' 9-month paramedic training by shifting funds from overtime to training/recertification expenses.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $50,000.00 from the FY25 Budget Reserve account to the Office of Community & Economic Development Salaries & Wages.
This order transfers $50,000 from the FY25 Budget Reserve to the Office of Community & Economic Development to fund the FY25 salary for a new Senior Project Manager position.
Declaration of Vacancy - District 3 City Council Seat
Declares a District 3 City Council vacancy following a resignation. The vacancy will be filled under city charter and state law; related communications are public records.
An Order: An order to amend the Amesbury Energy Committee By-Laws to change the name to The Amesbury Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee, increase the membership from of six to nine members and officially widen the scope to include goals aimed at reducing the city’s carbon footprint by modifying the By-Laws.
This ordinance renames the Amesbury Energy Committee to the Amesbury Energy, Environmental and Sustainability Committee (AEESC) and expands its membership and scope. It broadens focus to reduce Amesbury's carbon footprint and modernizes the by-laws governing how the committee operates.
ORDER FOR JOINT OR IDENTICAL POLE LOCATIONS
The Amesbury City Council approves a joint pole locations order for National Grid and Verizon to install two new poles on South Hunt Road, with underground wiring options and a municipal cross-arm requirement. The decision affects residents and properties along South Hunt Road and follows a public hearing process.
ORDER FOR JOINT OR IDENTICAL POLE LOCATIONS
Authorizes National Grid and Verizon to install a joint pole on Highland Street near 58 Highland Street. Sets pole location, height, and underground provisions, with city coordination.
An Order to approve payment from the FY25 general fund operating budget for the below listed prior year invoices.
City Council will authorize payments of prior-year invoices totaling $48,690.52 from the FY25 operating budget. Invoices span Police, Administration, Fire, Water, and Sewer and require a two-thirds vote.
An Order to vote to amend the Operating Budget for FY 2025.
City Council amends the FY2025 Operating Budget to boost the Sewer Enterprise budget to $2,808,729, funded by a new $25 quarterly stormwater user fee beginning Oct 1, 2024. The change includes specific allocations to stormwater and sewer-related costs.
An Ordinance to amend Amesbury City Code Chapter 204, "Animals" and recognize the Chief of Police, or the Chief’s designee, as the hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings in the City of Amesbury in accordance with G.L. c. 140 §§ 157 and 136A.
Updates Chapter 204 to designate the Chief of Police (or designee) as hearing authority for nuisance and dangerous dog hearings, removes breed-specific language, and updates city references. Effective January 1, 2025.
An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Subdivision Rules and Regulations to be in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) 2016 National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.
This ordinance updates the Amesbury Subdivision Rules and Regulations to align with the EPA’s 2016 MS4 permit requirements for stormwater management. It tightens design standards, sets pollutant removal targets for new and redevelopment projects, and strengthens enforcement and maintenance provisions. The changes affect developers, builders, and property owners citywide.
An Ordinance to change various Fire Safety Inspection and Permit Fees and to adopt a Schedule of Fees.
Amesbury updates its Fire Safety Inspection and Permit Fee schedule to align with the 2022 MA Comprehensive Fire Code. The changes cover inspections, permits, plan reviews, and related services citywide, with penalties for work begun without proper permits.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $19,500.00 from the FY25 Budget Reserve account to Mayor Other Expenses and Administration & Finance Other Expenses.
Authorizes a $19,500 budget transfer from the FY25 Budget Reserve to reimburse Mayor and Administration & Finance accounts for a compensation study and CFO recruitment costs. It specifies transfers to Mayor Consulting, Administration & Finance Consulting, Training, and Travel accounts.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $4,863.00 from the FY25 Budget Reserve account to Mayor Salaries & Wages.
This ordinance authorizes a $4,863 internal budget transfer from the FY25 Budget Reserve to Mayor Salaries & Wages to fund a Communications Director salary increase, affecting the Mayor’s Office budget.