City of Amesbury Insider Newsletter - December 23, 2022
News from Mayor Kassandra Gove
Happy Holidays, Amesbury! I hope everyone gets a chance to visit downtown and support some of our incredible shops and restaurants this season. Our City always looks amazing this time of year.
With winter weather at our doorstep, I want to remind everyone about their responsibility regarding snow removal. Walkability and accessibility of our streets and sidewalks are a priority for everyone’s safety. I encourage you to visit the link in the article below to familiarize yourself with recent changes to city code, snow removal, and what you can do keep everyone safe.
With safety in mind, Swift 911 remains our best method of delivering messaging about snow emergencies, on-street parking bans, municipal building closures and other city related urgent information. Please take a few minutes to sign up or if you are already signed up, log in and review your account to make sure all your information is updated and correct.
Stay warm and have a Happy New Year,
Kassandra
Snow Removal
There have been new changes to the city code regarding snow removal. Updated information, as well as the Public Works 2022 Snow and Ice Plan, has been posted on the website.
Everyone has a responsibility in snow removal and sidewalk treatment. Please take a minute to review what you need to do to help keep our streets and sidewalks accessible and safe.
https://www.amesburyma.gov/282/Snow-Ice-Removal
Swift911 Reminder
Swift911 allows us to alert residents and businesses to emergency situations, including severe weather alerts, road closures, water problems, and other public interest information. Swift911 has the capability of delivering messages via phone, email, and text to the entire subscriber network as a whole or to subscribers in specific portions of the city.
Already registered? Edit your profile to change numbers or make sure you're receiving Text/SMS as well as voice messages.
https://www.amesburyma.gov/221/Swift911
Deputy Chief James Nolan Selected as Amesbury's New Fire Chief!
Chief Nolan started with Amesbury Fire Rescue in 1995 as a part-time call-in Firefighter. Nolan became a full-time Firefighter/EMT in 1997, then held the role of Acting Lieutenant from 2012-2013. In June 2014 he was promoted to Lieutenant, and in July 2015 was promoted again to Acting Deputy Chief. In 2019 Nolan was promoted to his current role of Deputy Fire Chief / Fire Prevention Officer. Chief Nolan holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration and is currently enrolled in a Master of Public Administration program. He will be the 6th Fire Chief for the City of Amesbury since the position was created in 1978.
To read more, visit: https://bit.ly/3ivHguk
Amesbury Public Library Adds to its "Library of Things"
The Library of Things is a collection of nontraditional items you can borrow from Amesbury Public Library!
These items are free to borrow: all you need is a library card!
Learn more at: https://amesburylibrary.org/gadget-gallery/
The City of Amesbury is Hiring
The City of Amesbury is now hiring multiple positions, For a list of current openings, visit: https://www.amesburyma.gov/jobs.aspx
To subscribe to updates on current opportunities to work for the City, visit and sign up at: https://www.amesburyma.gov/List.aspx
I AMesbury: Infrastructure Survey
The I AMesbury 2030 Task Force is currently working on the Infrastructure Chapter and would love your feedback!
This survey will help the task force learn more about what the residents, business owners, and stakeholders of Amesbury see as the priority in how the City spends its budget. Topics covered in the survey include sidewalks, paving, water treatment, municipal buildings, and more. Please note that parks and outdoor spaces were covered in our Recreation segment.
This survey will close at noon on Monday, March 13th. Thank you in advance for participating!
To take the survey, visit: https://forms.gle/QJmMC7jr2gP5MSip9
For more information on I AMesbury, visit: https://bit.ly/3PN3EM8
Sgt. Jordan Shay Memorial Lower Elementary School Update
The Shay Memorial School continues to progress on schedule with substantial completion expected for April. The building has heat which will allow for finish work to continue through the winter, including ceramic tile and millwork. The “curtainwall” or large glass walls in areas like the cafeteria, media center, and stairwells are being installed now, leading us towards a weatherproof building. The last of the landscaping for this season is being wrapped up as well as the curbing and other exterior features like the flag poles, the main entrance, and its benches. The team is in the final stages of confirming furniture, fixtures, and equipment as well as the technology package. It’s exciting to see the project transition into this stage and be able to imagine students and staff in the space.
For more information on the project, visit: https://bit.ly/3PJs1du
New Makers Highlight
Amesbury has a rich history of makers. From carriages to textiles. From auto parts to furniture. Continuing with that history, today’s makers and manufacturers are producing amazing products such as recreational sports equipment, high tech devices, clothing, and much more. Many of these businesses operate in unassuming buildings that you may drive by every day and never know are there.
We are excited to showcase these local businesses as an incredible asset to Amesbury, show people in our community what they produce, and encourage other businesses to move to Amesbury or expand their existing business here in our city. We also hope to show young people in our schools what kind of job opportunities are right here in Amesbury as they make decisions about secondary education, trade schools, and possible training programs that are available with these businesses.
Please enjoy the “Maker’s Highlight” which focuses on one business per issue, bringing attention to those making history here.
Volunteer Positions
Looking for ways to get involved in the city and help make a difference in the community?
Boards, Commissions and Committees serve a vital role in Amesbury, fostering public engagement in the quality of life for all residents. Currently, there are several open positions on our boards and committees. Openings arise when a board member's term expires, which means we have openings on a rolling basis year-round.
Some of the positions are as follows:
- Health Care Trust Commission - 1 opening
- Amesbury Housing Trust - 2 openings
- Historical Commission - 1 opening
- Open Space, Natural Resources, and Trails Committee - 1 opening
- Conservation Commission - 2 opening
- Cultural Council - Multiple openings
- Design Review Committee - 3 openings
- Board of Health - 1 opening
- School Committee – 1 opening
For an updated list of openings and how to apply, visit the city website at:
https://www.amesburyma.gov/479/Board-Vacancies
Facebook Live with the Mayor will return Thursday, January 26th and will continue to be scheduled the last Thursday of every month. We are looking forward to a new, in-studio format, broadcasting live from the Amesbury Community Television studio.
Follow our Facebook page for updates.
Coming Winter 2023
We are looking forward to community partner, the Amesbury Improvement Association and its volunteers, setting up the ice rink once again in Amesbury Town Park. Stay tuned for colder weather to allow the construction and flooding of the the rink, and the opportunity to once again appreciate this outdoor Winter activity. Bring your own skates and enjoy into the evening as the lights will be on until 9:00pm.
Follow on Facebook for updates.
MEETINGS AND EVENTS
View All Meetings on the City Calendar
Upcoming Holiday Schedule
All City Offices will be closed Monday, December 26th.
The Amesbury Library will be closed Saturday, December 24th through Monday, December 26th.
All City offices and the Amesbury Public Library will be closed Monday, January 2nd.
2023 City Offices Holiday Schedule
Monday, January 2, 2023 - New Year’s Day (Observed)
Monday, January 16, 2023 - MLK Day
Monday, February 20, 2023 - Presidents Day
Monday, April 17, 2023 - Patriots Day
Monday, May 29, 2023 - Memorial Day
Monday, June 19th, 2023 - Juneteenth
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 - Independence Day
Monday, September 4, 2023 - Labor Day
Monday, October 9, 2023 - Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Thursday, November 9, 2023 (close at 4pm) - Friday, November 10, 2023 - Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 (close at noon) - Friday, November 25, 2023 -Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 25, 2023 – Christmas
