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Amesbury council approves capital spending, grants and emergency sewer repair in unanimous votes
Summary
On May 26 the Amesbury City Council approved $513,316.36 in FY2027 capital appropriations from Free Cash, set Community Preservation Act reservations, accepted several grants (including ARSL and EOPSS/DFS awards), transferred $22,881.86 between revolving funds and authorized a $55,000 emergency sewer repair appropriation; most measures passed unanimously.
The Amesbury City Council on May 26 approved a series of fiscal and administrative measures including a $513,316.36 appropriation from Free Cash for FY2027 capital projects, Community Preservation Act reservations for FY2027, library and fire-safety grants, a revolving-fund transfer and an emergency sewer repair appropriation.
Key votes and actions
- 2026-092: Council approved an order to appropriate $513,316.36 from Free Cash to fund FY2027 capital expenditures. Councilor Amanda Haggstrom moved to approve; Councilor Kelly Sullivan seconded. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-093: The council approved spending limits for departmental revolving funds pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, §53E½. Councilor Maryann Welch moved to approve; Councilor Michael Hogg seconded. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-094: Under the Community Preservation Act (G.L. c.44B), the council reserved three amounts from the FY2027 estimated Community Preservation Fund revenue: $59,427 to the Open Space & Recreation Reserve, $59,427 to the Historic Resources Reserve, and $59,427 to the Community Housing Reserve. Councilor Stanganelli moved to approve; Councilor Michael Hogg seconded. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-095: The council authorized the Mayor to accept and expend two Department of Fire Services grants (Student SAFE: $6,727.92; Senior SAFE: $2,859.19). Councilor Maryann Welch moved to approve; Councilor Stanganelli seconded. Councilor Stanganelli noted these grants require no municipal match. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-096: The council authorized acceptance of an Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) grant in the amount of $15,000. Councilor Michael Hogg moved to approve; Councilor Amanda Haggstrom seconded. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-097: The council approved transferring $22,881.86 from the Greenleaf Supportive Day Revolving Fund to the Council on Aging Revolving Fund; Councilor Kelly Sullivan moved to approve; Councilor Scott Mandeville seconded. Councilor Stanganelli noted the Greenleaf Supportive Day program has ended. Vote: 8-0.
- 2026-098: The council appropriated $55,000 from Sewer Retained Earnings for emergency wastewater-treatment-plant repair (sludge disposal, repair/maintenance, equipment, consulting). Councilor Amanda Haggstrom moved to approve; Councilor Scott Mandeville seconded. Vote: 8-0.
The council also approved the May list of licenses and permits (motion by Councilor Amanda Haggstrom) and acted to approve several sets of meeting minutes, including a 7-1 vote to approve the May 5, 2026 minutes (Councilor Stanganelli opposed). The meeting adjourned at 7:33 PM.
Why it matters: the measures fund routine capital maintenance, public-safety education programs and a short-term emergency repair to the wastewater plant; the CPA reservations set aside funds for open space, historic resources and housing work in FY2027.
