Amesbury’s landscape is what makes it home and attracts newcomers, and I am committed to smart, long-term planning for maintenance and improvement with a get things done approach to today’s priorities. The rapidly growing costs of materials and the current labor market will continue to put pressure on our budget for these high cost items that are critical to our daily lives.
What have we accomplished?
Secured local, state, and federal funding for infrastructure improvements and started or completed design and engineering on multiple projects including the Carriage Town Trail Connector, Water Street Parking Garage replacement, Oak Street Bridge replacement, Newton Road Weir, Main Street water main, athletic fields improvements, Landry Stadium repairs, and the Middle School roof replacement.
Completed physical plant repairs in almost every city and school building including fire panels, boilers, HVAC units, roof repairs, window and sill work, accessibility improvements at entryways, and flooring repairs and replacements.
Started a vehicle replacement schedule for equipment with chronic maintenance issues to better support city services for both the fire department and public works. Invested over $1.5M in a new ladder truck, ambulance, and two new command vehicles for the Fire Department and a new pickup truck for Public Works.
Invested millions of dollars into city and school technology to provide a one-to-one teaching environment and a secure, efficient, and productive work environment to better serve our community.
Built and renovated 2 athletic fields with funding in place for 2 more to support our youth outside the classroom and invest in recreational areas while preserving over 100 acres of open space.
Renovated Lake Gardner Beach including a restoration of the sand and lawn areas, improved recreational amenities, and new parking lot and sidewalks with accessibility enhancements.
Focused on reducing the stress on city infrastructure through decreased City-wide speed limits, promoting safer streets for cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Established maintenance escrow account with annual appropriations for Shay Memorial School ensuring we can properly care for our buildings and assets avoiding unplanned expenses and burden to the taxpayer.
What’s next?
The FY24 budget includes $250,000 for downtown sidewalk repairs, the intent is to make an annual appropriation to repair downtown sidewalks.
The projects that are in a design phase or are ready for construction need to continue to funding, bid, and completion, particularly, the Oak Street Bridge, Carriage Town Trail Connector, Water Street Parking Garage, Newton Road Weir, and athletic fields.
Projects you’ll see begin this year include the Landry Stadium repairs and the new Middle School Roof. Diamond Field improvements will continue, and soon after we will need to start work on our rectangular fields.
New leadership at Public Works are using the asphalt condition ratings we have of roads and sidewalks to complete seasonal paving.
Main Street and the Merrimack River neighborhood will see some improvements partially funded by a recent Shared Streets grant for improved pedestrian and bicyclist safety.
The Feasibility Study for AES on South Hampton Road will be complete shortly. Next steps will be for stakeholders to engage in discussing how to move forward with action and funding.
The Downtown Feasibility Study will be complete in the Fall of 2023. The study is a review and 10 year capital plan of all City owned buildings between Friend, School, and Main Streets. There are a few vacant buildings and many that fail health inspections, do not meet fire and building code requirements, and are not ADA compliant. The study will guide us in making decisions for improvements to these buildings.
Physical plant work continues per building based on maintenance needs.