Ordinances

This ordinance renews Amesbury's inter-municipal agreement with Salisbury to provide regional animal control and inspection services for one year (July 7, 2024–June 30, 2025). Salisbury is lead on implementation; costs are shared with Amesbury. Services run weekdays during day hours with after-hours coverage arranged separately.

The City of Amesbury is borrowing $6.063 million to fund the Amesbury Middle School roof replacement (AMS) and related costs. The project has a total projected cost nearing $9.9 million; funding beyond the city’s existing budget will be borrowed. Passage requires a two-thirds majority in the City Council.

The City Council appropriates $32,699.28 from the Quality of Life Fund to upgrade Collins Street Park's basketball court and surrounding area. The project includes removing the old surface, installing a new hoop, subgrade work, resurfacing, and landscaping as funds permit. Funding source is the Quality of Life Fund (8020).

Authorizes the Mayor to move general fund money between city departments in the last two months of the fiscal year or the first 15 days of the new year to cover overages and deficits. It lists specific department transfers and sources of funds.

This ordinance authorizes the Mayor to accept a state grant of $298,834 to fund the Elder Mental Health Outreach Team for FY25-FY26. Funds support salaries, fringe benefits, transportation, and related program costs for elder behavioral health services under the attached contract. The contract runs through June 30, 2026.

National Grid is authorized to install a new pole and associated overhead lines on South Hunt Road, Amesbury, following a public hearing. The order sets requirements for pole location, height, and municipal wiring space, and allows underground connections where appropriate.

National Grid and Verizon seek approval to install three joint-use utility poles on South Hunt Road near Buttonwood Road, with associated wires and underground laterals; plan adherence and municipal wire space are required.

Amesbury City Council approves National Grid's request to lay underground conduits on a segment of South Hunt Road near Buttonwood Road. Work includes two 5-inch conduits and connections per the filed plan, following a public hearing.

This order authorizes National Grid and Verizon to locate and erect poles on Field Street for a new joint pole, with underground connections and space reserved for municipal wires.

The Amesbury City Council proclaims May 2024 as Older Americans Month and honors Emily Zarraga as the city's oldest living resident (102). It urges community support for older residents and their wisdom and contributions.

The City of Amesbury adopts FY25 revolving fund spending caps for three departmental funds: youth activities, Council on Aging, and EV charging initiatives. The spending limits are controlled by the relevant department heads and the Chief Financial Officer and remain in place until revised by City Council.

Amesbury City Council approves a one-time payment of $2,547.05 to Shore Educational Collaborative for FY23 services billed to the Amesbury Public Schools. The payment will be charged to the Medicaid Reimbursement line in FY24 and requires a two-thirds vote.

This ordinance updates the Amesbury Gateway Village Smart Growth Overlay District (AGV-SGOD): it reorganizes sub-districts, expands housing density and updates building design standards, and changes the overlay map. It will affect new development and redevelopment in Gateway Village, including density, design, and which parcels are regulated under the AGV-SGOD.

Extends the R-40 residential zoning along Haverhill Road by reclassifying two parcels from Commercial to R-40, specifically 78 and 80 Haverhill Road (Map 85-60 and 85-59). The change aligns zoning with the corridor's intended residential character.

Amesbury will accept a $12,500 state earmark grant to fund engineering inspections of two pedestrian bridges in the Upper Millyard/Downtown Business District. The work will inform planning and budgeting for future replacement, including a technical memo and a conceptual design.

Amesbury is authorized to accept a 3-year grant for Public Health Excellence for Shared Services from the state. Amesbury will coordinate a regional group of towns to expand public health capacity. Grant funds will be used to support inter-municipal public health services.

The City of Amesbury will authorize the Mayor to accept a $150,000 state earmark to improve urban pedestrian spaces. The project extends brick sidewalks along Market Street near Market Square and replaces concrete sections, within the Market Street right-of-way, by the DPW.

City Council approves accepting a Preservation Restriction on 6 Center Street to protect the building’s historic exterior. The restriction will be enforced by the Amesbury Historical Commission as a condition of the site plan approval. The plan governs exterior changes and maintenance consistent with historic preservation standards.

Amesbury seeks a Home Rule Petition to exempt the Deputy Police Chief position from Civil Service (Chapter 31), giving the city flexibility in recruitment and appointment. If passed, the Deputy Chief would be outside Civil Service under state law. The measure requires state legislative approval and takes effect upon passage.

This ordinance reallocates $50,000 within the Police Department: $20,000 to building maintenance and $30,000 to vehicle repairs. The transfer involves the Mayor and CFO and addresses maintenance deficits without increasing overall police spending.