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 to appropriate from the General Stabilization Fund and the Ambulance Receipts Reserved Fund to balance the fiscal year 2026 budget.
The City Council approves a $400,000 appropriation to balance the FY2026 General Fund budget, funded by transfers from the Stabilization Fund and the Ambulance Receipts Reserved Fund. The Stabilization Fund will be replenished with Free Cash once certified by the DOR, subject to Council action.
November 4 2025 Municipal Election Warrant
Voters on November 4, 2025 will decide whether Amesbury may levy an additional $6 million in taxes to fund the city and public schools operating budgets for the next fiscal year. The measure concerns real estate and personal property taxes and will affect property tax bills citywide. The ballot also lists municipal races for City Council, School Committee, Library Trustees, and Planning Board.
An Order to to accept the provisions of MGL Chapter 138 Section 12D
The City Council adopts the state’s new §12D provision to let the local licensing authority convert an on-premises wine-and-malt license to a full all-alcohol license, even when no such license is available. The Amesbury Liquor License Commission would handle conversions with ABCC oversight and public notice. This change expands options for local businesses without creating new licenses.
An Order to transfer funds from Salary Reserve- AF part time position
City Council approves a $21,000 internal budget transfer from Salary Reserve to Administration & Finance Salaries & Wages to fund a part-time position beginning in September.
An Order to pay Prior Year Invoices from FY26 General Operating Budget
City Council approves payment of prior-year invoices totaling 14,767.83 from the current year’s budgets for services rendered in prior years. The measure funds multiple city departments and vendors and requires a two-thirds vote. It references M.G.L. Chapter 44, Section 64.
An Order of the Amesbury City Council to Accept an Easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for the purposes of installing, accessing, operating, maintaining, repairing and replacing the water line, curb box and fire hydrant now on, or to be placed on, the property located at 101-107 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute an Acceptance on Behalf of the City of Amesbury.
The City of Amesbury will accept a non-exclusive water line and fire hydrant easement on the property at 101-107 Market Street from Newburyport Homes LLC. The Mayor will be authorized to execute the acceptance on behalf of the City.
An Order of the Amesbury City Council to Accept an Easement from Newburyport Homes LLC for the purposes of accessing, operating, maintaining, repairing and replacing drainage infrastructure on the property located at 101-107 Market Street, Amesbury, Massachusetts and to Authorize the Mayor to Execute an Acceptance on Behalf of the City of Amesbury.
The Amesbury City Council will accept a drainage easement on 101-107 Market Street from Newburyport Homes LLC. The city gains access to drainage infrastructure, with rights to enter via Pine Street and maintain the system in perpetuity. The Mayor will sign the acceptance on behalf of the city.
An Order to request the City Council to vote to declare as surplus various municipal vehicles and equipment.
This order surplus two city-owned vehicles: a Fire Department 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe and a Council on Aging 2015 Ford E-350 van with a hydraulic lift. The Mayor will dispose of the vehicles under state surplus laws. The action affects city fleet operations but not current resident services.
An Ordinance to update and amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations SCHEDULE IV (STOP SIGNS) to reflect the addition of two stop signs added to the area of Market Street at Fern Avenue in support of an All-Way stop control (AWSC).
Amends Amesbury's Stop Signs schedule to add two stop signs at Market Street and Fern Avenue, creating a four-way stop. The change follows a safety study supported by MassDOT and is a prerequisite for AWSC materials and grants.
An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations ARTICLE 1 — DEFINITIONS with the names of the eight parking lots owned and maintained by the City of Amesbury.
Adds eight municipal parking lots to the official definitions in Amesbury's Traffic and Parking Regulations, tying them to parcel numbers and street addresses (including 5 Market Street). The change becomes effective 15 days after adoption and affects signage, enforcement, and use for residents and visitors.
An Order to place a $6 million operating override on the November 4, 2025 ballot.
This ordinance asks voters to approve a levy override to raise $6 million in property taxes to fund Amesbury's city and school operating budgets starting July 1, 2026. It is supported by the Mayor's Financial Advisory Board to stabilize funding and avoid cuts, with voting on November 4, 2025.
A Resolution to Formally Establish a Twinning Relationship Between the City of Amesbury, Massachusetts United States of America and the Town of Amesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom.
Amesbury, Massachusetts will formalize its twinning relationship with Amesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Mayors will sign a Twinning Oath in August 2025, enabling exchanges and cultural programs citywide.
An Ordinance to Amend the Amesbury Zoning Map to rezone two (2) portions of 24 South Hampton Road (the former Amesbury Elementary School) from the OSC to the R-8 Zoning District.
This ordinance rezones two portions of the city-owned property at 24 South Hampton Road from Open Space Conservancy (OSC) to Residential R-8. Portions A and B are the subject, while the nearby city park area remains OSC. It updates the zoning map accordingly and reflects current land use planning.
An Order authorizing the Mayor to dispose of, by sale or lease, all or a portion or portions of City-owned property and any structures thereon consisting of approximately 4 +/- acres (180,000 SF +/-), which is a portion of the 14 acre +/- City-owned property located at 24 South Hampton Road (Parcel 26-4, formerly the site of the Amesbury Elementary School) as shown on Exhibit 1.
Authorizes the Mayor to dispose of about 4 acres of the city-owned property at 24 South Hampton Road by sale or lease to support housing development. The plan anticipates up to 36 dwelling units on the 4-acre portion and a single-family home on Rowell Street, with the remaining ~10 acres kept for park and municipal uses. The project would proceed under a PUD-SP and require rezoning to R-8 and affordability compliance, with final terms determined by the Mayor.
An Order to appropriate $5,000 from Streets and Sidewalks Stabilization Fund to the Temporary Repairs on Private Ways account.
City Council approves a $5,000 budget transfer from the Streets and Sidewalks Stabilization Fund to the Temporary Repairs on Private Ways account to cover temporary repairs on private ways, with no assessments to abutting property owners. Repairs will follow City decisions per Council Bill 1998-181.
A Resolution to Support the Application by the Gity of Amesbury for a State of Massachusetts PARC Grant to Assist in Funding the Brian Eldredge Memorial Skate Park
The City Council expresses support for applying for a PARC grant to fund the Brian Eldredge Memorial Skate Park renovation. It notes the park’s importance to youth and that fundraising hasn’t met goals, identifying PARC as the funding source.
A Resolution in Support of LGBTe+ pride Month
Recognizes June 2025 as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and promotes inclusivity citywide. Urges the City to fly the Pride Flag at City Hall. Affirms commitment to LGBTQ+ residents' civil rights.
An Ordinance for the City to create a crosswalk at Merrimack River Condominiums
Requires Amesbury to install a traditional striped crosswalk at or near 31 Merrimack Street to improve pedestrian safety for residents crossing the street between the Merrimack River Condominiums and their parking area. The city will manage design and installation as a safety improvement.
An Order to authorize the Mayor to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $122,661.00 from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ (EEA) Drinking Water Supply Protection (DWSP) program to offset the City’s costs to acquire the property at 128 Kimball Road in Amesbury for the purposes of drinking water resource protection and flood control management.
Amesbury is awarded a $122,661 DWSP grant to help fund the purchase of 128 Kimball Road for drinking water protection. The grant covers up to 60% of eligible costs, and completion is contingent on DEP approval, contract execution, and proper deed language; the site will protect the water supply and allow public river access for passive recreation.
An Order that $211,935.00 is appropriated from the Receipts Reserved for Real Estate Proceeds Fund (239 4193) to purchase the land and building located at 128 Kimball Road, Amesbury, for the purpose of using the property for water supply protection, passive use recreational area, and conservation purposes, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto; Summary: This order will authorize the Mayor to acquire the land referenced above for use as water supply protection and pass
The City of Amesbury authorizes an appropriation of $211,935 to purchase 128 Kimball Road for water supply protection and a passive recreation/conservation area. The funding comes from a Real Estate Proceeds transfer, plus a state Drinking Water Supply Protection Grant (up to $122,661). Final approval requires a two-thirds City Council vote and mayoral execution of documents.