June 26 -- No Office Hours

We will not be holding Office Hours tomorrow evening, because I will be attending the Amesbury Chamber's annual Block Party. If you have any questions, feel free to send me an e-mail at mayorgray@amesburyma.gov, or give us a call at 978-388-8121.

I hope you will join us! For more information about the Block Party, visit www.amesburychamber.com.

Amesbury Days kicks off tomorrow! To get details about the 115th Amesbury Days celebration, please visit www.amesburydays.org.

Ken

 

Video Tribute to our Retirees

Mike Basque, Marie Veilleux, and Joe Fahey are retiring. Together, they have dedicated a combined 111 years to public service. Peter Hoyt had the pleasure of sitting down with all three of them last week in the ACT studio.

You can watch the entire video in 720P HD here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0kyMFvdrFA

A big thank you goes out to Peter, our three retirees, and Russ Munroe at ACT for making this video happen. It is a great way to remember the careers of three of Amesbury's most devoted public servants.

Enjoy!

Ken

Save The Date: July 19 Car Show

See information below on the 1st Annual "Cars and Carriages" show in Amesbury. This will be another great opportunity to celebrate and showcase the community's pride in our history.

Admission and parking are free to spectators

I am looking forward to this! I hope to see you on July 19.

Ken


Do you have a classic car that you love, and want to show off?

Plan ahead to join the North Shore Old Car Club and Amesbury Mayor Ken Gray for the First Annual “Cars and Carriages” car show, which will be held in downtown Amesbury on July 19th.

The event will celebrate Amesbury’s history as a manufacturing center for carriages and early automobiles. “Not only were we the world’s largest manufacturer of carriages,” Gray said, “but as the world moved to automobiles, Amesbury played a prominent role in that transition.”

Right now, event organizers are looking for cars to be exhibited. Any car more than 25 years old is eligible, but cars made in 1930 or earlier will be particularly welcomed. Already expected in the show: 1908 and 1913 electric cars and several horse-drawn carriages, all built in Amesbury.

The show will also include tours of LeBaron Bonney, an Amesbury business that provides restoration kits, upholstery, parts and accessories for antique and custom cars. The building was originally part of the Biddle and Smart Company plant, where carriages were manufactured from 1870 through the early 1900's. As the automotive industry took off, the factory was converted to building auto bodies. Now, from that same building, LeBaron Bonney produces materials to restore antique cars – including cars that were originally built there.

If you are interested in displaying your antique car at the show, please contact David Costello at 978-335-8739. A $10 donation to benefit the Amesbury Carriage Museum will be requested.

The show will be held Saturday, July 19th, rain or shine, on Chestnut Street in Amesbury. Free spectator admission and parking.

Amesbury Welcomes New Business

We are pleased to welcome the Chestnut Innovation Center to Amesbury! See today's press release below for more details, or visit www.chestnutic.com.

Ken

 



Here is a look at the exterior of the 11 Chestnut Street building, where the CIC will be located.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good News for Amesbury's Parks

* PRESS RELEASE *
For Immediate Release: June 12, 2014	For More Information: Evan Kenney (978) 388-8121 kenneye@amesburyma.gov
Mayor: $250,000 Available For Park Improvements

 

           

 

 

 

            Mayor Ken Gray announced that the City of Amesbury has secured $250,000 for the improvement of playground facilities at the Amesbury Town Park and the Collins Avenue Park through funding provided by the Commonwealth’s Our Common Backyards Grant Program. Of that quarter of a million dollars, $200,000 will come directly from the grant program, while $25,000 will be provided from a prior City Council authorization, and an additional $25,000 will be provided through fundraising and in-kind services. Plans call for a spray park installation at the Town Park, and playground improvements for the Collins Avenue Park.

            “The spray park has the potential to be a big attraction,” Gray said, “I think it could really be an asset to the community.”

The Mayor indicated that the projects support the work of dedicated residents who volunteer through organizations such as the Park Renovation Committee and the Amesbury Improvement Association.

“The Park Renovation Committee, the Amesbury Improvement Association, and residents from across the City have volunteered a lot of time toward improving our neighborhood playgrounds,” Gray said. “This funding will complement their continued efforts to enhance these community landmarks.”

 For more information, please contact Mayor's Aide Evan Kenney at 978-388-8121.

A Century of Public Service

In addition to Mike Basque's retirement, which I noted in last night's post, Amesbury is also losing two other employees to retirement this month. Mike, Community and Economic Development Director Joe Fahey, and Assistant City Accountant Marie Veilleux have dedicated a combined 111 years to public service.

They will be greatly missed in City Hall, but I wish them all the best in a happy, healthy, and peaceful retirement. They have certainly earned it.

A number of our City employees have organized this celebration for our retirees. Please join us as we honor Mike, Joe, and Marie on Friday, June 20 at DiBurro's Function Facility. This event is open to the public, but tickets will need to be purchased by 7 PM on June 12. For ticket information, please contact Beth at 978-388-8131, or via e-mail at 2014RetirementParty@gmail.com.

 

Ken

 

P.S. Attached is the flyer for the June 20 event. I hope to see you there!

 

 

 

 

 

Amesbury's New CFO

This month, we are losing our CFO Mike Basque to retirement. I'm thrilled to announce that Amesbury's former Finance Director Chuck Benevento will be returning to City Hall in July as our new Chief Financial Officer.
 
See below the text from our press release about Chuck.
 
Ken
 
 

* PRESS RELEASE *
For Immediate Release: June 6, 2014	For More Information: Evan Kenney (978) 388-8121 kenneye@amesburyma.gov
Mayor Announces New C.F.O.

 

           

          

 

           After 26 years of service to Amesbury, the City’s Chief Financial Officer Mike Basque is retiring this month. Today, Mayor Gray announced that former Amesbury Finance Director Charles Benevento will be returning to Carriagetown as the City’s next C.F.O.

            With over 30 years of experience in finance, 28 of which garnered in municipal government, Benevento’s background and knowledge base will make him an asset as the director of the City’s finances, according to Gray.

            “We are thrilled to have Chuck on board,” Gray said. “I think his experience and his professional accomplishments speak for themselves.”

            With a degree in accounting from Boston University, Benevento’s career in finance began at his alma mater, where he was hired as a general accounting analyst in 1980. By the end of his nearly six year tenure in Boston University’s accounting offices, he had earned multiple promotions, the last of which landed him in the role of Supervisor of General, Grant, and Contract Accounting.

            In 1986, Benevento began what would be a twelve year career as the Town of Amesbury’s Finance Director, Town Accountant, and MIS Director. In 1998, he left Amesbury for the City of Chelsea, where Benevento quickly earned a spot as the City’s Finance Director. In 2000, he began a three year tenure as Director of Finance in the Town of North Andover. Since 2003, he has served as the Finance Director and City Auditor in the City of Haverhill.

            Benevento’s return to Amesbury is scheduled to begin July 3, 2014. For more information, please contact Mayor’s Aide Evan Kenney at 978-388-8121.