Council orders · Ordinances
Ordinances
Every ordinance and council order tracked through its readings, with sponsor, status, and an AI-written plain-language preview.
2026-008 approved 2026-001 approved 2025-126 approved 2025-125 approved 2025-124 approved 2025-123 withdrawn 2025-122 withdrawn 2025-121 withdrawn 2025-116 approved 2025-115 approved 2025-114 approved 2025-113 approved 2025-112 approved 2025-111 approved 2025-110 approved 2025-109 approved 2025-108 approved 2025-107 approved 2025-106 approved 2025-105 approved
An Order to adopt Rules and Procedures for the Fifteenth Session of the Amesbury City Council.
The Amesbury City Council is adopting new Rules and Procedures for its Fifteenth Session. The changes are in the attached Proposed 15th Session Rules and take effect 30 days after passage.
An Order to vote to adopt an Operating Budget for 2027.
The Amesbury City Council adopts the FY2027 operating budget, totaling about $84.7 million in the General Fund, with most funding raised by taxes and revenues and some one-time sources. It also approves Water and Sewer enterprise budgets funded by charges and fees.
An Order to transfer funds from Salary Budget Reserve to Departmental Salaries & Wages- OPEIU and non-union
This ordinance authorizes a one-time budget transfer to fund the first year of a new labor contract with OPEIU Local 6 and a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for non-union staff. It also adopts a Memorandum of Agreement with wage and benefit changes, pending ratification and appropriation.
An Order to fund the employment agreement between the City of Amesbury and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1783, I.A.F.F., dated July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.
Authorizes a budget transfer to fund the FY2026 portion of a three-year contract with IAFF Local 1783 for Amesbury’s Fire Department. The agreement includes wage increases, new captain roles, and multiple staffing, training, and benefit changes.
An Order to request the City Council vote to hold the annual Classification Hearing to vote on four (4) separate items in order to establish the tax burdens for each class of property.
This order directs Amesbury's City Council to hold the FY26 Classification Hearing to set property tax burdens by class, including whether to apply exemptions. It notes no open space properties exist and that the Mayor does not seek exemptions for residential or commercial classes.
An Order to: Alter the Layout of Kimball Road and to Accept Parcel Y as shown on Definitive Subdivision of 47.5-57 Kimball Road in Amesbury, Massachusetts
City Council orders the alteration of Kimball Road to a public way and acceptance of Parcel Y for highway purposes as shown on the Definitive Subdivision Plan. Parcel Y will be deeded to the City and is not a buildable lot. The Mayor is authorized to finalize the deed and related documents.
An Order to Vote Intent to Alter Kimball Road and Refer to Planning Board.
City Council votes its intent to alter the layout of Kimball Road to include Parcel Y (about 5,186 sf) as shown on the referenced plan. The proposal is referred to the Planning Board for review and a recommendation under state law. This is an early procedural step, not final authorization.
An Order of the Amesbury City Council to approve the Acceptance of a Quitclaim Deed for a Parcel of Land at the 47.5-57 Kimball Road Subdivision, being a portion of property located off Kimball Road, Amesbury to be Held by the Conservation Commission and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute said Approval on Behalf of the City of Amesbury
This order authorizes accepting a Quitclaim Deed for Parcel Y (about 5,186 square feet) within the 47.5-57 Kimball Road subdivision. The land will be held by Amesbury’s Conservation Commission for highway purposes, and the Mayor is empowered to sign the deed on behalf of the City. Parcel Y is not a building lot and carries a street-access reservation for the grantor.
An Order to amend Council Order 2025-001 by transferring $98,042 from Sewer Other Expenses to Sewer Personal Services and to reduce the Sale of Cemetery Lots by $3,000 in other revenue sources.
This order reallocates $98,042 within the Sewer Enterprise Fund to correct staffing and expense totals, and reduces Cemetery Lot revenue by $3,000. It uses various funding sources to cover the transfer, with no overall change in total appropriation.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for FY 2026.
This ordinance authorizes accepting a $12,600 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the Amesbury Cultural Council (FY2026). The Mayor is empowered to expend the funds on local arts and culture programs.
An Order to fund the employment agreement between the City of Amesbury and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 93, Local 939 dated July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.
This order approves funding to implement the AFSCME labor contract for DPW, Water, and Sewer employees. It reallocates $110,904 to cover salaries and expenses and outlines wage increases, benefits, and union-related provisions for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028.
An Ordinance to update and amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations SCHEDULE I PARKING (PERMIT PARKING) to be renamed as SCHEDULE 1 PARKING (PERMIT/RESTRICTED PARKING), update the current schedule to reflect the updated permitted and restricted status of each municipal lot, and update ARTICLE XIII- PENALTIES AND FINES SCHEDULE to include fees for parking permit violations for residential and commercial vehicles.
This ordinance renames and updates the City's permit parking schedule and clarifies permit requirements and hours for municipal lots. It also expands penalties and fines for parking permit violations and specifies when the changes take effect.
An Ordinance to update and amend the City of Amesbury Solid Waste Ordinance Chapter 392 to add a new section entitled Article IIT Delivery and Emptying of Dumpsters.
Amesbury is adding a new Dumpster Delivery and Emptying section to the Solid Waste Code. The rule bans dumpster work between 10 PM and 7 AM on all properties and establishes a tiered fines schedule with enforcement by the Inspectional Services Department.
An Ordinance to amend Amesbury Code of Ordinances Article I City Clerk/Clerk to Municipal Council § 132-7.1 City Clerk Fee Schedule.
Amesbury updates the City Clerk Fee Schedule, revising fees for vital records, business certificates, licenses, and related filings. The changes take effect 15 days after adoption.
An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Code of Ordinances by adding a new Chapter titled “Chapter 230. Buildings, Permitting of’ and to adopt a Schedule of Fees.
This ordinance creates Chapter 230 to govern building permitting and adopts a new permit fee schedule. It aligns Amesbury’s building, electrical, plumbing/gas, and occupancy fees with neighboring towns to fund inspections and administration, replacing the old 2011 schedule. It takes effect 15 days after adoption citywide.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $34,967.00 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research FY26 Municipal Road Safety (MRS) Grant Program.
The City of Amesbury is authorized to accept a $34,967 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security to fund traffic enforcement under the FY26 Municipal Road Safety program. The grant funds are reimbursable and support targeted enforcement through Sep 15, 2026.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $20,000.00 from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, Office of Grants and Research Edward J. Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant.
The Amesbury City Council authorizes acceptance of a $20,000 Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant for the Amesbury Police Department. The funds will buy two dual-band radios and one single-band radio to improve police communications and meet state requirements, with no city dollars involved; the grant contract runs through August 31, 2026.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $5,900.00 from the FY26 Budget Reserve account to Building Inspections Consulting.
City of Amesbury approves a $5,900 transfer from Budget Reserve to Building Inspections Consulting to pay a FY25 code consulting invoice for the Munters project. The transfer uses internal reserve funds and affects the Inspectional Services budget under the DPW umbrella.
An Order to approve payment from the FY26 general fund operating budget for the below listed prior year invoices.
Authorizes payment of $7,102.70 in prior-year invoices from the FY26 operating budget to three vendors (DPW and Building Inspections). Requires a two-thirds City Council vote.
An Order to transfer funds from Salaries Budget Reserve to Assessor Consulting
City Council authorizes a $45,000 budget transfer within the Assessors Department to pay for consulting services during the transition to a new Chief Assessor. Funds are moved from Salaries & Wages and Salary Reserve to the Other Expenses account. The change affects only the Assessors budget.