Ordinances

Proposes increasing the Retirement Board members’ monthly stipends from $250 to $375 and adding a $250 monthly stipend for the City Treasurer (who serves as Retirement Board Treasurer). The changes reflect the responsibilities of retirement governance and financial administration and take effect upon passage.

The City of Amesbury seeks approval to accept a $19,000 state grant for the Fire Department to buy safety equipment. Funds are reimbursed after equipment orders and must follow state grant contracts. Equipment includes a mobile command console, lifting air bag, and RIT system.

The City of Amesbury will accept a grant of $19,760 from the Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women to fund a Council on Aging trainee. The funds support a two-year pilot and require reporting on clients served. The Mayor is authorized to expend the funds for COA programs.

This ordinance transfers $30,000 from Water Retained Earnings to the Water Operating Budget to fund Baker Street water main replacement. It affects the Water Enterprise and DPW, and covers materials such as pipe, valves, hydrants, and related items.

The City Council is asked to authorize renewal of its PEG access agreement with ACTV for eight years, through June 30, 2032. ACTV would receive 70% of PEG access payments plus $25,000 per licensee annually for equipment, in exchange for continuing PEG access programming and services.

Authorizes payment of FY23 invoices totaling $37,898.65 using FY24 funds, including large share for homeless transportation via McKinney-Vento; also pays small police and DPW invoices. Requires two-thirds City Council approval.

City approves a one-time appropriation of $106,678.15 from Free Cash to Amesbury Public Schools for a new Cashman Elementary School playground. Funds originate from a National Grid Efficiency Incentive Payment (deposited 11/9/2023) and will roll to Free Cash after FY2024. Total project cost is $226,247.30 with additional funding from PTO, a legislative earmark, and ESSER III.

This ordinance authorizes withdrawing 310,396.12 from Free Cash to fund FY2024 contract settlements for the Amesbury Teachers Association. It explains the shortfall in the previously budgeted negotiations reserve and details the cost breakdown across COLA, paraprofessional changes, and new positions.

This ordinance updates the Amesbury City Council Rules for the 14th Session by revising Rule 60 to clarify objections to votes and the postponement process. It affects the City Council’s procedures and how residents see council actions.

Adopts Rule 51 enabling remote participation in Amesbury City Council meetings under AG regulations and Mayor adoption. Establishes quorum, audibility, and roll-call voting requirements for remote participation.

Adds Rule 5J to the Amesbury City Council Rules to govern attendance for public and adjudicatory hearings. If a council member misses a hearing and the hearing is continued, the member must certify they have reviewed all evidence (recordings or transcripts) before voting on final action. The rule references state law and municipal code to ensure informed voting.

The ordinance changes Rule 5B to set one regular monthly City Council meeting and separate Dog Hearings. It requires publishing the yearly schedule in January and provides holiday rescheduling.

This ordinance updates Rule 5E Order of Business for the Amesbury City Council, 14th Session. It reorganizes meeting flow, clarifies minutes changes, and tightens public hearing processes. It affects all meetings and residents who participate.

Reorganizes the Amesbury City Council's standing committees. Establishes a Committee of the Whole, creates a Joint Education Committee with the School Committee, and allows smaller sub-committees with at least five members. Expands how committees gather testimony and make recommendations, affecting council and school district governance.

Updates to the Amesbury City Council 14th Session Rules, specifically Rule 6G on appeals. It adds a rule about recognizing appeals and clarifies how questions of order are put to the Council during meetings. Affects City Council procedures citywide.

This ordinance requests City Council authorization to overspend Amesbury's fiscal 2024 snow and ice appropriation. It notes that $142,563.34 has already been spent as of January 18, 2024 and argues overspending is necessary to protect residents' life and safety.

The City of Amesbury creates an Opioid Settlement Special Revenue Fund and appropriates $114,123.63 from Free Cash for opioid-related prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs. Funds will be spent under state guidelines to support residents citywide.

Creates the Senior Project Manager position in the Office of Community & Economic Development to oversee municipal projects, budgeting, grants, and procurement. It requires attendance at Board & Commission and regional planning meetings, with an effective date 30 days after notice to the City Council.

The City establishes a Stormwater Compliance Unit in the DPW Sewer Division and funds it with a quarterly stormwater fee to ensure MS4/NPDES compliance, public education, inspections, and mapping. A Junior Sanitary Engineer will lead the unit once funding is available.

Mayor Kassandra Gove issues Administrative Order 2024-04 reorganizing city administration by placing the Department of Human Resources and the Office of Information Technology under the Office of the Mayor. The CFO will no longer oversee daily management of these departments, and the change takes effect 30 days after notice to the City Council.