Amesbury Meeting Roundup: Housing Plan, $1.2M Grant Top Agendas as Minutes Remain Unpublished
Several city boards met in late June, but official minutes had not been published by press time. Agendas show that the City Council was scheduled to take up a five-year housing plan and more than $1.2 million in grants, while the workforce board considered a reallocation of nearly $50,000 in job-training funds. Below is a summary of the items that appeared before local panels.
City Council
The council was expected to vote on adopting the 2024–2029 Housing Production Plan, a strategic document aimed at expanding affordable and diverse housing options. A separate vote on establishing a Solid Waste Enterprise Fund—which would facilitate new residential trash fees—was also on the agenda.
Grant items included $1,199,660 for restoration of the Washington Landing Boat Launch and a $10,000 award for football helmet covers at Amesbury High School. Public hearings were scheduled for flammable storage permits at 241–243 Main Street and 132 Elm Street.
Planning Board and Development
The Planning Board continued public hearings on site plans and special permits for 30 Lake Attitash Road (Water Resource Protection District), 84 Congress Street, and 29 Water Street. A new hearing opened for an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) at 12 Oak Street. The board also had an ANR plan for 8 Noel Street on its docket.
The Community Preservation Committee reviewed draft sections of its Community Preservation Plan, and the Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee discussed a draft Invasive Plant Management Plan sent to the Conservation Commission, a Trail Management and Stewardship Plan, and mowing for grassland birds at Battis Farm.
Workforce and Retirement
The MassHire Merrimack Valley Workforce Board planned to vote on transferring $48,571 from the adult to the dislocated worker program within its WIOA allocation, funding seven individual training accounts. Members were also set to approve recommendations for the WIOA Youth RFP program and accept the April quarterly minutes.
The Retirement Board intended to conduct a performance review for its administrator related to a 3 percent salary increase effective July 1, 2026, and authorize up to $500,000 in transfers from the PRIT fund for July retiree payroll. Four Amesbury Public Schools employees had retirement applications under review, and the board expected to transfer $93,504 to the Essex Regional Retirement System while reimbursing the Andover Retirement Board $33,578.40 annually for a shared employee.
Other Boards
The Trustees of War Memorials met for routine business covering membership and maintenance. The Council on Aging Board handled reports on the Costello Center and programming. The Cultural Council’s subcommittee reviewed grant expenses, rental collections, and discussed a community closet exchange and photography exhibit.
Coming up
The Conservation Commission will continue a hearing on the Rocky Hill multifamily development at 265–287.5 Elm Street and take up a new notice of intent for a Pulte Homes multi-family project at 28 Haverhill Road. Also on July 6: an ADU at 3 Old Merrill Street and an enforcement order for city paving on Lions Mouth Road.
On July 7, the Amesbury & Merrimac Housing Authority expects to award contracts for ARPA-funded concrete bulkheads and a sustainable heating system at 30 Field Street. The Design Review Committee will consider signs for Main Street Congregational Church and The Barnes Team, plus the 12 Oak Street ADU that is circulating to multiple panels.
The Cultural Council meets July 8 to vote on $4,000 for Open Studios marketing, $500 for rack cards, and $2,000 for musician contracts. The Technical Review Committee on July 9 will review Leaf Water Farms at 83–91 Macy Street and a bathhouse at 6 Morrill Street, along with the 12 Oak Street ADU.
Generated from official meeting agendas and minutes — every underlying document is linked from the city page. Read the primary source before you rely on a detail.