GA Blog: Amesbury

1.4.12 Route 95 Bridge Being Replaced – Effect on Bike Trail

The Newburyport Current recently reported that the John Greenleaf Whittier Bridge on Route 95, spanning the Merrimack River from Amesbury and Newburyport, is set to be replaced in a state project aimed to stat in the spring of 2013.  The project is one of the state highway department of transportation’s largest under the $3 billion Accelerated Bride Program.

The 60-year old bridge will be replaced with a four-lane highway with a shared-use path for bikers and walkers called the Whittier Trail. The four-lane bridge should speed up traffic on the sometimes congested I-95 area, as well as promote alternative modes of transportation with the Whittier Trail.

Local members of the Coastal Trails Coalition have raised concern that the new trail over the span will poorly affect the current trail system that runs through Amesbury, Newburyport, Newbury and Salisbury. Although the state is placing a trail system over the new bridge, it fails to continue the bike paths in the other areas it plans to widen the highway.

The trail coalition will likely discuss the trail issues at a state design public hearing set for the spring of 2012.

Read the Newburyport Current article.

10.31.11 Amesbury Group Enters Contest for $15,000 Playground Grant

The Newburyport Daily News recently reported that a group raising money for a new playground at Amesbury Town Park has entered a contest to win a grant for $15,000 that will go towards renovating the playground.

The Amesbury Improvement Association is one of 10 entrees that could win the grant from the Let’s Play Playground, a group led by Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM non-profit group. Voting for the project can be done on Facebook at facebook.com/kaboom. Voting ends November 11.

The Amesbury Improvement Association hopes to raise $180,000 to complete the park renovations.  The site address is http://www.facebook.com/AmesburyPRC#!/LetsPlay?sk=app_276826415679968

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article.

9.26.11 Amesbury Lakes Commission Seeks New Members

The Amesbury News recently reported that the Amesbury Lakes and Waterways Commission is looking to recruit new members. The commission is looking to have at least one representative per body of water in Amesbury.

Members should all have “an interest in preserving and improving management of local resources.” Commission members tend to live nearby waterways they represent, or have some sort of personal connection to the waterway.

For information, contact Bruce Georgian, chairman of Lakes and Waterways Commission at BMGeorgian@Hotmail.com, or visit amesburyma.gov/lakesandwaterways.

Read the entire Amesbury News article.

9.14.11 Amesbury Receives $1.25 million for Downtown Improvements

The Newburyport Current recently reported that the City of Amesbury will receive economic redevelopment funds of $.1.25 million in order to improve the Lower Millyard and downtown. The funds are being granted under a supplemental budget written by Governor Patrick this year.

The funds will be given through MassWorks, a “one-stop program for municipalities seeking infrastructure funding to support job growth and long-term, sustainable economic development. “

The money will go towards several projects including; drainage improvements, sidewalk and streetscape updates, and light installation.  “Upon completion, pedestrians will be able to walk from the downtown to the new MVRTA Transportation Center and Senior Center.”

Read the entire Newburyport Current article.

12.27.10 Amesbury Homeowners Property Taxes Upped by Invalid “Historic” Label

According to the Newburyport Daily News, homeowners in Amesbury were concerned when they saw their property taxes go up due to their homes be labeled as “historic” by the town assessor. Although the historic label increased some home values by as much as $20,000, it also increased annual property taxes a considerable amount.

Mary Marino, the town’s property assessor, tagged roughly 600 Amesbury residences with the “historic” label using a document that was found to be invalid for the process.  The document in question were said to be “windshield surveys,” and “were never meant to give the town anything other than an inventory of Amesbury's older homes, should historical districts ever be created in Amesbury.”  Marino stated the documents had already been in use in the department before she took the town assessor position.

In order for the many concerned residents to better understand the home assessing process, a town workshop was scheduled where they could ask Marino questions regarding home values and their influence on property taxes. It seems that most town officials have agreed that “open and transparent assessors meetings” are necessary.

Read the entire Daily News article.

12.8.10 Wind Turbine Bylaws Needed in Amesbury

According to the Newburyport Daily News, new zoning bylaws may be passed in Amesbury in order to allow wind turbines to be installed within town limits. Currently, there are no bylaws regulating wind turbines in Amesbury, which under zoning regulations means they are not allowed.

Spinnaker Power, a Beverly firm, was granted $55,000 by the state-run Clean Energy Center in order to conduct a “wind feasibility study” at Pender Farm on Middle Road. With there being no bylaws in places regulating turbines, it will be difficult for the company to receive approval to erect a proposed turbine that could reach several hundred feet in height.

"Some of the ones [turbines] they proposed were pretty large and what the town ends up signing for regulations, I don't know," said Building Inspector Denis Nadeau. "The town can't restrict them, but they can be regulated. And you have to request an amendment to the Zoning Board of Appeals to regulate them."

Chip Kelleher, CEO of Spinnaker says that once installed the turbine would provide the Pender Farm landowners with energy, while energy surplus would be sold back to National Grid for a profit.

Read the entire Newburyport Daily News article.