Ordinances

Expands Amesbury’s Community Preservation Committee from seven to nine voting members by adding a Housing Trust representative and an additional general public member. It also sets staggered initial terms for the public seats and a two-year initial term for the Housing Trust member.

Amesbury voters are called to vote in the 2024 state primary. Polls will be open Sept 3, 2024, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Amesbury High School. Offices on the ballot include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative (6th District), and several state and county positions.

The Amesbury City Council expresses support for moving $1,420 from the City Council training budget to the City Clerk training budget for FY25. The transfer would be effected by the Mayor since the Council cannot reallocate funds on its own, and aims to enhance training for City Clerk staff and related operations.

Amends the Amesbury Zoning Ordinances to cap the number of adult-use cannabis retailers in the RMOD at 40% of the city’s alcohol licenses, with a minimum of two licenses. Aims to balance downtown activity with regulated cannabis access.

This ordinance creates the MBTA Communities Multi-family Overlay District (MFOD) in Amesbury, primarily the Golden Triangle along Elm Street, allowing multi-family housing as of right under MBTA guidance. It updates zoning maps, adds new definitions, and sets review standards to boost housing supply near transit.

The Amesbury City Council will accept a drainage and utility easement across the Mill Town Condominiums property at 130 Market Street to serve the development. The easement will authorize installation and ongoing maintenance of water and sewer lines along a defined corridor, with the Mayor empowered to sign the acceptance for the City.

Amesbury expands the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District (REDD) to include a new parcel for large solar projects and updates related solar provisions. The measure adjusts setbacks, access, fencing, and environmental and stormwater rules for solar facilities.

A petition by National Grid and Verizon seeks permission to install a new joint utility pole on Highland Street to serve a nearby development, with wiring and underground laterals planned. The Amesbury DPW supports the location pending confirmation of no conflicts with other utilities and adherence to ROW safety and maintenance rules. Public notice and a hearing are part of the process.

City Council approves National Grid and Verizon's plan to relocate a pole on Oakland Street and install related poles and underground lines, with construction standards and coordination requirements to protect the public right of way.

Authorizes National Grid and Verizon to install a joint pole on Market Street (Pole P23-50) to support new transformers, with conditions on placement, height, and coordination with city departments. Requires Dig Safe and Notice to DPW, Water, and Sewer. Applies to the Market Street public way in Amesbury.

National Grid and Verizon are granted permission to locate and install a joint pole on Market Street (near 118 Market Street) for transformer upgrades. The order sets conditions for right-of-way placement, municipal coordination, and a minimum pole height of 20 feet, with potential underground connections in the future.

City Council approves a joint pole location for National Grid and Verizon on Union Street to relocate one pole about 10 feet south to accommodate a driveway and improve safety on a narrow street, with safety, coordination, and future underground work requirements.

Amesbury City Council approves joint pole locations for National Grid and Verizon on Main Street, authorizing installation of poles and wiring while outlining requirements to protect the right-of-way and coordinate with city departments.

Allows National Grid and Verizon to install a new joint utility pole (Pole 8) on Poplar Street Ext to serve a new home at 39 Poplar Street Ext. The project must follow DCW/DPW guidelines, use Dig Safe, and keep utilities in the public right of way with proper clearance from road edges.

Amesbury City Council adopts a resolution supporting the city's PARC grant application to renovate the Brian Eldridge Memorial Skate Park. The action seeks state funding to supplement local fundraising, and emphasizes the park's role in the community. The resolution signals endorsement of pursuing the PARC grant.

Renumbers the Adult Use Marijuana Establishments section and expands the RMOD to include parcels in Amesbury's CBD and IC districts, allowing retail cannabis businesses in those areas. It also tightens display requirements for new buildings and clarifies the RMOD boundaries.

This ordinance broadens the use of historic buildings by allowing residential and mixed‑use redevelopment in key zoning districts, with flexible density rules and a strong emphasis on historic preservation standards. It also imposes affordable-housing requirements for larger projects and sets design and site standards.

Amesbury amends zoning to tighten Cluster Residential permits and Water Resource Protection District rules. Zone II WRPD developments must conserve 90% of the parcel and meet stricter density, open-space, and construction standards.

A City Council dog hearing is requested to determine if Jasper is a dangerous dog. The request references a two-year-old bite and prior aggression; reports indicate the dog was quarantined pending investigation.

This ordinance creates Amesbury’s Community Preservation Committee (CPC) to guide CPA-funded open space, historic resources, recreation land, and housing projects. It defines who joins the CPC and how they are chosen, sets duties like public hearings, and outlines budget and governance rules. After passage, authorities have 60 days to appoint the initial CPC members.