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Amesbury council approves revised inter-departmental transfers after 5-2 vote
Summary
The Amesbury City Council approved a substituted inter-departmental transfer order and accepted administration-requested increases to legal and employee-benefits lines after debate; two councilors opposed the increase citing concerns. The measure passed 5-2.
The Amesbury City Council approved revisions to an inter-departmental transfer order on June 23, accepting administration-requested increases to the legal and employee-benefits lines after a 5-2 vote.
Chief of Staff Pam Tobey told the council the administration requested increasing the transfer to the legal "other expenses" line from $10,000 to $20,000 and increasing transfers for employee benefits to $219,738.45, citing an increased need for legal services from KP Law. Councilor Pam Gilday introduced the substitute version of Order 2026-110 and moved approval of the administration's requested changes.
Councilor Steve Stanganelli and Councilor Claudel Frederique voted against accepting the administration's requested changes. Councilor Sullivan, Councilor Maryann Welch, Councilor Michael Hogg, Councilor Pam Gilday and President Jessica Redfern voted to approve. Earlier in the discussion the council approved a substituted revision of 2026-110 dated June 16, 2026.
The council recorded two separate votes: the substitute revision of the order was approved unanimously, 7-0; the later motion to accept the administration's requested increases passed 5-2. Council meeting minutes indicate the changes were time sensitive due to KP Law's billing cycle and needed to be completed before the July council meeting.
The council did not identify additional offsets or long-term budget implications during the meeting. The order was procedural authorization under M.G.L. c.44 Section 33B; the council's vote allows the administration to carry out the transfers as revised.
The council adjourned at 7:52 p.m.
