Council orders · Ordinances
Ordinances
Every ordinance and council order tracked through its readings, with sponsor, status, and an AI-written plain-language preview.
2025-005 approved 2025-004 approved 2025-003 approved 2025-002 approved 2025-001 approved 2024-164 approved 2024-163 approved 2024-149 approved 2024-148 approved 2024-147 approved 2024-146 approved 2024-145 approved 2024-144 approved 2024-143 approved 2024-142 approved 2024-141 approved 2024-140 approved 2024-139 approved 2024-138 approved 2024-134 approved
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF AMESBURY ADOPTING THE MERRIMACK VALLEY REGION MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Amesbury adopts the Merrimack Valley Region Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 through a City Council resolution. The action acknowledges the plan’s goals to reduce risks from natural hazards and aligns the city with federal hazard mitigation requirements. It signals the city’s commitment to protecting residents and property.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $1,615.00 from Youth Services Personal Services to Youth Services Other Expenses.
Budget transfer within the Youth Services budget moving $1,615 from Salaries & Wages to Youth Services Training to cover leadership coaching and safety training for new staff, including the newly hired Assistant Recreation Director.
An Order to appropriate $145,193.52 from Water Retained Earnings to Water Other Expenses.
The City of Amesbury approves a budget transfer of $145,193.52 from Water Retained Earnings to cover emergency water pump repairs and replacements. The funds support uninterrupted drinking water and fire protection for residents.
An Order to request the City Council to authorize the Department of Public Works to overspend the fiscal 2025 snow and ice appropriation of $250,000.
Amesbury requests authorization to exceed the FY2025 snow and ice budget by $250,000 to fund winter removal and protect residents. Requires City Council approval under state law.
An Order to vote to adopt an Operating Budget for 2026.
The City of Amesbury adopts its FY2026 operating budget, funding city operations and essential services. It includes enterprise budgets for Water, Sewer, and Cable Public Access and totals $92.46 million in appropriations.
An Order to: Vote to Rescind Bill No. 2019-042 and Accept a Portion of Elm Street as a City Public Way
City Council votes to rescind the 2019 action and accept a discontinued portion of Elm Street as a City Public Way. The change transfers control from the state to the City and includes drainage easements under MDOT plan 8621, affecting Elm/Monroe/Macy streets.
An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Code of Ordinances Chapter 396 Special Events- regulations and fees
Amesbury updates use of city facilities for events with a tiered fee system. City/school uses may be exempt; most others require a permit; revenue funds youth recreation facilities.
An Order authorizing the Mayor to acquire the land, building, and structures located at 5 Market Street, Amesbury, for the purpose of using the building for City Hall purposes, and the appropriation of $3,150,000 to fund such acquisition, including the payment of all costs incidental and related thereto.
This order authorizes Amesbury to acquire the property at 5 Market Street for City Hall. It finances the $3.15 million purchase through a $1.25 million borrowing and $1.9 million from free cash, with potential leases of parts of the property. Passage requires a two-thirds City Council vote.
An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations ARTICLE 1 — DEFINITIONS to include the names of the five parking lots owned and maintained by the City of Amesbury.
Adds formal definitions for several municipal parking lots to Article 1 of Amesbury's Traffic and Parking Regulations. It ties each lot to specific city parcels to improve clarity, enforcement, and management across the city.
An Order to authorize a transfer of $1,800.00 from Veterans Services Department Other Expenses to Veterans Services Department Salaries & Wages.
The City Council approves a budget transfer within the Veterans Services Department to fund a stipend increase for the Office Assistant by moving $1,800 from Other Expenses to Salaries & Wages.
An Order to: Lay Out and Accept Colonial Drive as a Public Way,
The City Council lays out Colonial Drive as a public way per the attached plan and accepts drainage and access easements on adjacent lots. The Mayor is authorized to finalize deeds and file the plan with the City Clerk.
An Order of the Amesbury City Council to Approve the Acceptance of a Quitclaim Deed for a Parcel of Land known as Lot X in the Eastern Lights Subdivision, being a portion of property located off Middle Road, Amesbury and to Authorize the Mayor.to Execute said Approval on Behalf of the City of Amesbury,
The Amesbury City Council will accept Lot X from the Eastern Lights subdivision for the City’s use and authorize the Mayor to sign the quitclaim deed. This transfer completes a long-planned step from the subdivision’s development to place municipal property into City ownership.
An Order to: Vote Intent to Lay Out Colonial Drive and Refer to Planning Board.
The Amesbury City Council votes to declare its intention to lay out Colonial Drive as a public street and refer the plan to the Planning Board for review. This is a preliminary step in converting the street to public ownership, with a Planning Board report to follow under state law.
An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations ARTICLE V- STOPPING, STANDING, PARKING, SECTION 5 to include the prohibition of parking in Fire Lanes.
Adds Emergency Access Lanes (Fire Lanes) to Amesbury’s Traffic and Parking Regulations, prohibiting parking in designated lanes. Fire or Police Chiefs may designate lanes with signs or pavement markings per MUTCD, and enforcement follows existing rules. The measure takes effect upon passage.
An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations ARTICLE V- STOPPING, STANDING, PARKING, SECTION 5-1 - General Prohibitions to prohibit parking on a curb.
Amends the Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations to prohibit parking on curbs or edges of roadways, clarifying the 12-inch rule and one-way street rules; applies citywide. Takes effect upon passage.
An Ordinance to amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations SCHEDULE I PARKING (2 HOUR PARKING) to a 3 HOUR time limit from 8 AM to 6 PM every day except Sundays.
Amesbury extends on-street parking from 2 hours to 3 hours from 8 AM to 6 PM, daily except Sundays, in the downtown area. It removes the previous 8 PM extension on Fridays/holidays and aligns with a downtown parking study. Sundays are exempt from the 3-hour limit. The ordinance becomes effective upon passage.
An Ordinance to update and amend the City of Amesbury Traffic and Parking Regulations SCHEDULE I PARKING (PROHIBITED AT ALL TIMES) to include the Northbound side of Whitehall Rd from the Intersection of Garfield Street to High Street.
Adds a no-parking-at-all-times restriction on the northbound side of Whitehall Road between Garfield Street and High Street. The update revises Schedule I and is expected to have minimal neighborhood impact due to available off-street parking.
An Order to request the City Council vote to increase the exemption amount of qualified applicants.
The Amesbury City Council is asked to vote to raise multiple property tax exemptions for seniors, veterans, the blind, and other qualified residents by 100% for FY25, expanding relief options citywide.
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.
Initiates the FY2025 property tax classification hearing to set burdens across four property classes. Considers residential factor and possible exemptions; Mayor declines exemptions.
Library Board of Trustees Declaration of Vacancy - Delia Rinaldi
This ordinance declares a vacancy on the Amesbury Library Board of Trustees following Delia A. Rinaldi’s resignation and asks the City Council to declare the vacancy at the upcoming November meeting. It initiates the process to fill the vacancy in accordance with city rules.