Amesbury
Upcoming
Conservation Commission
The Amesbury Conservation Commission will discuss and possibly vote on several Notices of Intent for development projects near wetlands. Continued hearings include the Rocky Hill multifamily development on Elm Street and a Pulte Homes multi-family project on Haverhill Road. New hearings cover an accessory dwelling unit, site improvements on Deer Island, and a driveway on Birch Lane.
- Continued hearing on NOI 002-1362 for Rocky Hill multifamily at 265-287.5 Elm Street
- New hearing on NOI 002-1365 for Pulte Homes multi-family at 28 Haverhill Road
- New hearing on NOI 002-1367 for ADU at 3 Old Merrill Street
- Request for Certificate of Compliance for 28 Lake Attitash Road
- Administrative enforcement order for Lions Mouth Road paving by City of Amesbury
Amesbury Housing Authority
The Amesbury & Merrimac Housing Authority will review and approve the lowest bidders for two capital improvement projects: exterior concrete bulkheads and a sustainable heating system at 30 Field Street. The board will also renew annual maintenance contracts for plumbing, electrical, and flooring services. General operational updates will be discussed before adjournment.
- Approval of lowest bidder for ARPA-funded exterior concrete bulkheads (Project #007099)
- Approval of lowest bidder for sustainable heating system at 30 Field Street (Project #007135)
- Renewal of annual contracts for plumbing, electrical, and flooring maintenance
Design Review Committee
The committee will review signage requests for Main Street Congregational Church and The Barnes Team. They will also consider a new application for an accessory dwelling unit at 12 Oak Street.
- Sign request: 135 Main Street (Main Street Congregational Church)
- Sign request: 26 Friend Street (The Barnes Team)
- ADU application: 12 Oak Street
Cultural Council
The Amesbury Cultural Council will vote on approving $6,000 in funding for Open Studios marketing materials and musician contracts. The meeting also includes standard reports on grants, marketing, and the Cultural Center.
- Vote to approve $500 for rack cards
- Vote to approve $4,000 for Open Studios marketing
- Vote to approve $2,000 for contracting musicians
- Treasurer's Report
- Grants Report
Technical Review Committee
The Technical Review Committee will review two prospective projects: Leaf Water Farms at 83-91 Macy St. and a bathhouse at 6 Morrill St. They will also consider an application for an accessory dwelling unit at 12 Oak Street.
- Prospective project review: 83-91 Macy St. — Leaf Water Farms
- Prospective project review: 6 Morrill St. — Bathhouse
- Application review: 12 Oak Street — Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Approval of minutes from May 21, 2026
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold hearings on a variance for a new home at 136 Haverhill Road, a finding for an addition at 10 Portsmouth Road, a continued variance and special permit to convert a home to two-family at 253 Main Street, and a continued comprehensive permit for a 95-unit cottage rental development at 27 Kimball Road, with 25% affordable units.
- 136 Haverhill Road – Variance to construct a single-family home
- 10 Portsmouth Road – Finding for addition on non-conforming lot
- 253 Main Street – Continued hearing: variance and special permit for two-family conversion
- 27 Kimball Road – Continued hearing: comprehensive permit for 95-unit development, 25% affordable
Last 30 days
Cultural Council
The Amesbury Cultural Center Subcommittee will approve minutes, review grant expenses and rental collections, and discuss future projects like a community closet exchange and photography exhibit.
- Approval of minutes
- Review of grant expenses
- Review of rental collections
- Discussion of Community Closet Exchange
- Discussion of photography event and exhibit
Retirement Board
The Retirement Board will process several employee retirements, new enrollments, and fund refunds. The body will also conduct a performance review for the Administrator regarding a 3% salary increase and authorize fund transfers for retiree payroll.
- Performance review for Administrator regarding a 3% salary increase effective July 1, 2026
- Authorization of up to $500,000 total transfer from PRIT for July retiree payroll
- Retirement applications for four Amesbury Public Schools employees
- Account transfer of $93,504.44 to the Essex Regional Retirement System
- Reimbursement of $33,578.40 annually to the Andover Retirement Board for Martine Fabre
Council on Aging Board
This is a regular meeting of the Amesbury Council on Aging Board. The board will receive updates on the Costello Center, programming, and reports from the secretary, treasurer, and director.
- Secretary's report
- Interim treasurer's report
- Costello Center updates
- Programming updates
- FCOA updates
Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee
The committee will discuss a draft Invasive Plant Management Plan sent to the Conservation Commission, and a Draft Trail Management and Stewardship Plan. They will also receive a communication about mowing for grassland birds at Battis Farm and consider an Invasives Demonstration Project. Other topics include park benches and the All Persons Trail.
- Communication on mowing/grassland birds at Battis Farm
- Invasives Demonstration Project – RDAs
- Draft Invasive Plant Management Plan sent to Con Comm
- Draft Trail Management and Stewardship Plan
- Park benches and All Persons Trail discussions
Community Preservation Committee
The Community Preservation Committee will review draft sections of its Community Preservation Plan. The meeting also includes approval of prior meeting minutes and scheduling the next meeting.
- Review of draft sections of the Community Preservation Plan
- Approval of meeting minutes from May 27, 2026
Non-City Boards and Committees
The MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board will vote on transferring $48,571 from adult to dislocated worker programs to fund 7 Individual Training Accounts. They will also vote on recommendations for the WIOA Youth RFP program and approve previous meeting minutes. Reports from committees and the executive director will be presented.
- Transfer of $48,571 from FY26 WIOA Adult to FY26 WIOA Dislocated Worker for 7 ITAs (vote required)
- Approval of Planning/Career Center Committee’s recommendations for WIOA Youth RFP Program (vote required)
- Approval of April 28, 2026 quarterly meeting minutes
- Reports from Planning/Career Center, Youth, and Nominating Committees
- Executive Director's report
City Council
The City Council will consider adopting a five-year strategic plan to expand affordable housing and diverse housing types. The body will also vote on several grant expenditures and the creation of a new enterprise fund for waste management.
- Adoption of the 2024-2029 Housing Production Plan
- $1,199,660 grant for Washington Landing Boat Launch restoration
- Establishment of a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund to facilitate new residential trash fees
- $10,000 grant for Amesbury High School football helmet covers
- Public hearings for flammable storage permits at 241-243 Main St and 132 Elm St
Trustees of War Memorials
The Trustees of War Memorials will hold a regular meeting to discuss routine business including approval of minutes, financials, membership updates, and maintenance needs. No major decisions or public hearings are scheduled.
Planning Board
The Planning Board will hold several continued public hearings on site plans and special permits for properties including 30 Lake Attitash Road, 84 Congress Street, 29 Water Street, and 9 & 9RR Oakland Street. A new public hearing is scheduled for a site plan and special permit for an accessory dwelling unit at 12 Oak Street. The board will also consider an ANR plan for 8 Noel Street and administrative matters such as covenants and bonds.
- Continued public hearing: 30 Lake Attitash Road - Special Permit in Water Resource Protection District
- Continued public hearing: 84 Congress Street - Site Plan and Special Permit
- Continued public hearing: 29 Water Street - Site Plan and Special Permit
- New public hearing: 12 Oak Street - Site Plan and Special Permit for Accessory Dwelling Unit
- ANR: 8 Noel Street
Joint Education Committee
The Joint Education Committee will introduce incoming Superintendent Dr. Zadravec and discuss the approved budget and capital improvement plan, focusing on potential financial challenges and opportunities. They will also confirm committee goals and measures of success. The meeting aims to strengthen collaboration between the City Council and School Committee.
- Introduction of incoming Superintendent Dr. Zadravec
- Discussion of approved budget and capital improvement plan financial challenges
- Contract negotiations update
- Confirming committee goals and success measures
- School leadership transitions
Health Care Trust Commission
The agenda text is corrupted and contains no discernible discussion items or decisions. This appears to be a procedural meeting with no actionable information available.
Non-City Boards and Committees
The committee will review the previous meeting's minutes and consider recommendations for the WIOA Youth Program RFP Review Committee. Members will also receive performance and budget updates regarding career center operations.
- Approval of MMVWB WIOA Youth Program RFP Review Committee Recommendations
- Performance Summary Update
- Budget Update
City Council Standing Committee of the Whole
The City Council will discuss multiple orders, including accepting a $1.2M grant amendment for the Washington Landing Boat Launch project and establishing a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund with a new fee for residential trash collection. Other items include a $10,000 state earmark for football helmet covers, fund transfers for fire station repairs, and easements for drainage and utility infrastructure.
- $1,199,660 grant amendment for Washington Landing Boat Launch
- $10,000 state earmark for soft-shell football helmet covers
- Transfer $28,895 for Elm Street Fire Station floor repair
- Establish Solid Waste Enterprise Fund for new residential trash fee
- Amend Solid Waste ordinance with fee schedule
Board of Health
The Board of Health will review reports from Inspectional Services and the MVPHA. The primary focus of the meeting is determining whether to move forward with new ordinances regarding kratom and cannabis smoking establishments, as well as restrictions on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Vote on process for Kratom Ordinance
- Vote on process for Cannabis Smoking Establishment Ordinance
- Vote on process to restrict BESS facilities in the city
- SAPHE questionnaire review
Amesbury Housing Authority
The board will review financial reports for March and April 2026 and various property updates. Discussions include several capital improvement projects and the administration of technology grants.
- ARPA fire alarm system project
- ARPA exterior concrete bulkheads project
- Macy building envelope project
- Mass BroadBand Institute (MBI) Grant for internet/technology
- Action Inc. Grant for refrigerators
Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a continued hearing on a comprehensive permit for a 95-unit multifamily cottage rental development at 27 Kimball Road, with 25% deed-restricted affordable units. The board will also hear a new application for a variance and special permit to convert a single-family home into a two-family dwelling at 253 Main Street. Revised plans for the Kimball Road project will be presented.
- Continued hearing: 95-unit multifamily cottage rental, 25% affordable, at 27 Kimball Road
- New hearing: variance and special permit to convert 253 Main Street to two-family
- Revised plans presentation for 27 Kimball Road project
- Public comment accepted via email or in-person attendance
- Approval of May 18, 2026 meeting minutes
School Committee
The Amesbury School Committee will vote on a contract with the Interim Director of Finance & Operations. They will also vote on the DESE renewal approval process for Amesbury Innovation High School. The committee will receive a first reading of the SY 2026-2027 school handbooks. Consent agenda includes warrants totaling over $4 million and minutes from prior meetings.
- Vote on contract for Interim Director of Finance & Operations
- Vote on DESE renewal approval process for AIHS
- First read of SY 2026-2027 school handbooks
- Warrants: April 17 ($681,427), May 1 ($642,314), May 14 ($958,789), May 15 ($657,499), May 30 ($710,399), June 11 ($419,110)
- Superintendent's report on staffing and athletics updates
School Committee
The council will review staff updates and building layout changes. They will also discuss results from a family survey regarding needs for the upcoming 2026-27 school year.
- Staffing updates
- Building layout discussion
- Family survey review
Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission will meet to discuss a Request for Determination (RDA) regarding a demolition project. The project is located at 128 Kimball Road and is being undertaken by the City of Amesbury.
- Demolition request for 128 Kimball Road
School Committee
The School Council will meet to approve previous minutes and review end-of-year student performance data. Members will also discuss the results of the May 2026 parent survey regarding school climate.
- Approval of April 9, 2026 meeting minutes
- Review of end-of-year student data
- Review of May 2026 SHAY Parent Survey on school climate
- Update on the June 1st Student Showcase
Non-City Boards and Committees
The NEMMC Board of Commissioners will vote on approving the minutes from May 14, 2026, and a six-month contract extension for J. Moak. They will also hear public comment and receive district updates.
- Review and approval of May 14, 2026 meeting minutes - vote required
- J. Moak six-month contract extension - vote required
- Public comment/input
- District updates