Public Meetings - Beverly, Massachusetts

The Beverly City Council met on the evening of November 10, 2025 (listed as November 11, 2025 per provided date) at 7:00 PM for a regular meeting. The session featured a proclamation honoring longtime Girl Scout volunteer Priscilla Douglas, a resident speaker on political campaign finance, the withdrawal of a National Grid public hearing, and consideration of multiple routine orders, grants, and appointments. All votes were unanimous (8-0). Consent Calendar - Approved minutes of the Special City Council meeting of June 18, 2025. - Received and placed on file a communication from the Salem and Beverly Water Supply Board (Order 256). - Approved referrals of orders from the Mayor: Order 247 ($60,000 grant for Independence Park updates), Order 248 ($1,750 library gift from UMass Lowell), Order 249 ($174,544 FY25 formula grant for Council on Aging), Order 250 (Pitney Bowes lease), Order 251 (reappointment of James Butler as Director of Municipal Inspections), Order 252 ($100 library book gift), Order 253 (taxi delivery license application), Order 254 (public hearing on FY26 tax levy), Order 255 (naming of Recreation Office Building). Public Comments & Testimony - John Taylor (41 Cole Street) spoke about the influence of super PACs in local elections, noting that two PACs spent over $7,000 in recent Beverly races. He urged the Council to focus on resident needs rather than PAC agendas and commended Councilors St. Hilaire, Feldman, Housman, Crowley, and Retundo for not accepting PAC money. Discussion Items - Proclamation – Priscilla Douglas (Order 246): Mayor Cahill and Council President Flowers read a proclamation declaring November 10, 2025 as “Priscilla Douglas Day” in Beverly, recognizing her decades of service with the Girl Scouts and community organizations. The proclamation was unanimously adopted after a ten-minute recess for photographs. - National Grid Public Hearing (Order 233): The petitioner withdrew the request after confirming the work was on a private way and did not require a Council location grant. No public hearing was held. - Subcommittee Reports: - Committee on Finance & Property approved Orders 247, 248, 249, and 252 (gifts and grants), and set a public hearing for December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM on the FY26 tax levy (Order 254). - Committee on Legal Affairs approved the Pitney Bowes lease (Order 250), granted a taxi/delivery license (Order 253), and set a public hearing for December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM on the naming of the Recreation Office Building in honor of Gail Jean Camodi (Order 255). - Committee on Public Services reported on the N1.9 replacement project Citizens Advisory Committee update (Order 162); the report was received and placed on file. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval (8-0) of the proclamation for Priscilla Douglas. - Unanimous approval (8-0) of all consent items and subcommittee recommendations. - Public hearing set for December 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM on the FY26 tax levy allocation. - Public hearing set for December 15, 2025 at 7:30 PM on naming the Recreation Office Building after Gail Jean Camodi. - Reminders: Councilor Feldman announced the first Financial Forecasting Meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers (also on BevCam). Councilor Crowley reminded residents of Veterans Day ceremonies on November 11, 2025 at various locations.

The Beverly City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers. The session included two presentations—a quarterly update from Mayor Cahill and the city administration, and an update from the Greater Beverly YMCA on the McPherson Youth Center—along with three public hearings, routine business, and subcommittee work. Key actions included approval of the CPA budget, passage of stop sign removals, and a recessed hearing on a National Grid project. Public Comments & Testimony - John Taylor (41 Cole Street) addressed the council during the CPA budget hearing, urging a more proactive approach to budgeting. He referenced a 2003 council resolution that set expectations for financial planning and encouraged the current council to establish similar guiding principles ahead of the budget season. Discussion Items - Mayor Cahill’s Quarterly Update: Mayor Cahill and Ibrahim Lopez Hernandez reported on numerous city projects: - McPherson Youth Center: Construction is on track; anticipated opening between January and March 2026. Funded by ARPA and a $1 million federal earmark. - City Hall Project: Design phase underway; project budget request expected by end of 2025. Construction may begin summer 2026, lasting 18–24 months. - Fire Station Project: Building envelope complete; HVAC work including air-source heat pumps anticipated completion this winter. - Library Project: $2.2 million budget; work includes new rooftop units and insulation. Construction expected 12–24 weeks starting mid-November. - Fuel Island at DPW: Replacements complete; operational soon. - Water Meter Replacement: 50% of meters procured; rollout begins late October, lasting 18 months. Savings of $40,000 avoided tariff charges. - Bridge Street Project: $16 million state-funded project; majority complete (Danvers Line to Folger Ave). Remaining work on downtown side stalled due to National Grid 115 kV line project. - 2025 Paving Program: Over 40 streets repaved, including new sidewalks and ADA crossings. - Rapid Flashing Beacons: Grant awarded for five intersections; equipment arrived, installation expected within weeks. - Hall Whitaker Bridge: Temporary bridge construction started; contract timeline summer–fall 2027, but city pushing for earlier completion. - Sustainability Projects: Ecological restoration at Ober Park (archaeological survey underway); Lynch Park seawall and carriage house designs (CPC funded, state permitting by January 2026). - Municipal Aggregation: Program saved residents approximately $1.546 million through May 2025, with projected total savings of $2–2.5 million by contract end (January 2026). Avoided 3,100 metric tons of CO2. - YMCA Presentation: Tim Flaherty, former councilor, introduced staff who presented on the McPherson Youth Center and associated programs: - Youth Center: Collaboration with city since 1995; temporary location at 48 Park Street during construction. - Programs: Fuel Up Friday free food initiative, holiday meal program, bike safety, basketball leagues, and life skills courses (e.g., driver permits, budgeting). - PASS Program: Early intervention for suspended students; served over 2,000 students total, 363 last school year (72 from Beverly). Average suspension time under 3 days. Substance use is primary reason for referral. - Be Healthy Beverly Coalition: Focuses on substance use prevention, mental health, and community supports; funded through two federal grants. - Summer Literacy Program: 12th year with Mayor Cahill; serves rising 1st–3rd graders. Over 1,000 children served; includes free meals, books, and afternoon camp. - Council Rules Amendments: The Committee on Legal Affairs recommended several amendments to the council rules, including clarifying ordinance passage procedures (reducing from three meetings to two), removing gender-specific language, updating language on presiding officer (longest consecutively serving councilor), and allowing abstentions to be recorded as such. Approved by a 9-0 vote (two-thirds required). - Order 220 – Stop Sign Removals: The council debated removing stop signs at three intersections: Kernwood Ave at Harris Ave, and McPherson Drive and River Street at Federal Street. After a motion to bifurcate the vote: - Kernwood Ave removal passed 9-0. - McPherson/River removal passed 6-3. Concerns were raised about pedestrian safety with the delay of a planned traffic signal, but supporters cited improved traffic flow and minimal pedestrian traffic. - National Grid Petition – Tall Tree Drive: A proposal to install underground facilities to replace outdated direct-burial cables was discussed. Concerns included a projected 48-hour power outage for 12–15 homes, lack of generator support for non-medical residents, and National Grid’s history of delays. The public hearing was recessed to November 10, 2025, to allow for more information on mitigation and notification. Key Outcomes - Approved: - Order 238 – CPA FY2026 budget ($1,280,070). - Orders 241–244 – Grants for road safety, digital equity, police radios, and derelict trap removal. - Order 239 – National Grid petition for Hale Street underground facilities. - Order 233 and 234 – Appointments to Commission on Disabilities and Parks and Recreation Commission. - Order 179 – Amendments to city council rules. - Order 220 – Removal of stop signs (Kernwood Ave and McPherson/River separately). - Received and Filed: Councillor Bowen’s letter of resignation, effective October 31, 2025. - Recessed: Public hearing on National Grid Tall Tree Drive petition to November 10, 2025, at 7:30 PM. - Referrals: Several grants and the Hale Street petition were referred to appropriate committees. Next Steps - The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM. The recessed public hearing on the Tall Tree Drive National Grid petition will continue at that time.

The Beverly City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at 191 Cabot Street. The meeting included a resolution honoring a resident's 95th birthday, a presentation from Beverly Little League, public comment, two public hearings on National Grid utility petitions, and a first reading of an ordinance to remove stop signs at two intersections. The council also approved multiple grants and appointments during subcommittee reports. Consent Calendar - Order 227: Resolution honoring Charles Bucci on his 95th birthday (October 4, 2025). Approved 8-0. - Order 237: Letter from the City Council to the future 2050 City Council for inclusion in Beverly Little League's 75th anniversary time capsule. Approved 8-0. - Order 206: Final vote on an ordinance amendment (second reading) adding handicapped parking spaces at Atlantic Street South and Orchard Street East. Approved 8-0. - Approval of meeting minutes from the Finance and Property Committee meeting of June 11, 2025. Approved. - Approval of the election warrant for the November 4, 2025 biennial municipal election. Approved 8-0. - Receipt and placement on file of Order 240 (notice of filing from the Department of Utilities). Approved 8-0. Public Comments & Testimony - Elliot Margolis (6 Cobbler's Lane) expressed frustration with the City's water billing department. He stated that his water bill jumped from about $150 to $420 without explanation, and it took five months for the city to send someone to check his meter. He believes the meter malfunctioned and that the city refused to work with him despite his efforts. He provided copies of his correspondence to council members. Public Hearings - Order 212 (7:30 PM) – National Grid petition to install one jointly owned pole and underground laterals on West Dane Street at 52 West Dane Street. Representative Ismail Miku explained the pole will be 40 feet tall with three transformers, serving a new business that requires 277/480 volts. No public speakers. The hearing was closed and referred to the Public Services Committee, which later recommended granting the petition (approved 8-0). - Order 224 (7:40 PM) – National Grid petition to install underground facilities on Cliff Street at 40 Cliff Street. A five-foot trench from pole 3760 to the property will be dug through the sidewalk, which will be fully restored. Representative Miku clarified the work is in the sidewalk, not the roadway, to avoid conflict with an upcoming repaving project. No public speakers. The hearing was closed and referred to the Public Services Committee, which later recommended granting the petition (approved 8-0). Discussion Items - Order 220 – First reading of a proposed ordinance amendment to remove stop signs at two locations: (1) Kernwood Avenue (northbound and southbound) at Harris Avenue, and (2) McPherson Drive (southbound) and River Street (northbound) at Federal Street. Councilor Retendo explained the Kernwood Avenue sign removal is due to a new traffic signal coming online. The McPherson/River/Federal signs were originally installed 20 years ago for vehicular traffic, and the Federal Street bridge work will reduce traffic. The Parking and Traffic Commission had recommended removal of the signs subject to conditions: maintaining pedestrian crosswalks with new fluorescent yellow warning signs and additional signage as needed. Councilor Spang initially proposed a friendly amendment to delay removal of the McPherson/River signs until the traffic light at River and Bridge Street is fully activated, but withdrew it in favor of amending the ordinance to incorporate the Parking and Traffic Commission's conditions. That amendment was approved 8-0. The main order (as amended) then passed its first reading 8-0; a second reading and final vote will be on October 20, 2025. Key Outcomes - Grants approved (all 8-0 after subcommittee reports): - Order 228: $24,600 Mass Cultural Council grant for local cultural council. - Order 229: $7,500 Senior Care Title 3B grant for Council on Aging outreach. - Order 231: $1,537,311 FEMA Urban Search and Rescue grant for Massachusetts Task Force 1. - Order 232: $251,119.90 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant for 70 sets of wildfire PPE and training. - Lease approved (Order 230): Lease agreement with T-Mobile Northeast LLC for cell tower space. Councilor Bowen questioned declining lease revenue; Purchasing Agent Dave Gelano explained mergers have reduced carriers, but the new lease includes a 3% annual escalator. - Appointments approved: - Order 233: Noveo Horrican to Commission on Disabilities. - Order 234: Alice Dudley to Parks and Recreation Committee. - Order 235: Benjamin Roy to Zoning Board of Appeals. - Public hearings scheduled: - Order 238: FY2026 Community Preservation Act (CPA) budget public hearing set for October 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM. - Order 223: National Grid petition for Tall Tree Drive underground facilities – public hearing October 20, 2025 at 8:40 PM. - Order 239: National Grid petition for Hale Street underground facilities – public hearing October 20, 2025 at 8:30 PM. - Subcommittee meetings: Finance and Property Committee approved all referred items in a brief recess. Public Services Committee announced a meeting on October 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM to discuss National Grid noise complaints on River Street. Announcements - Councilor Retendo reminded about the Fall Frolic at Lynch Park this weekend. - Councilor Bowen announced a Public Services Committee meeting on October 27 to address National Grid noise issues. - Assistant Clerk Katie DuPont reported on her trip with City Clerk Lisa Kent to Washington D.C. to advocate for sustained federal election funding, emphasizing the importance of directing funds to local election offices.

The Beverly City Council met on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers. The meeting began with a resolution honoring Anne Nato as the 2025 Senior of the Year, followed by the referral of several orders to subcommittees. After a break for subcommittee work, the council reconvened and approved numerous appointments, a gift to the library, the use of prior year funds, first reading of a handicapped parking ordinance, and other routine business. All votes were unanimous (9-0). Resolution - Honored Anne Nato as 2025 Senior of the Year. The resolution highlighted her decades of volunteerism, service as a paraprofessional in Beverly Public Schools, involvement at the Senior Center, and her family. The resolution was adopted 9-0. Subcommittee Reports and Actions - Finance and Property Committee: Approved a gift from UMass Lowell Digital Equity Partnership of four all-in-one desktop computers and 18 Chromebook licenses to the Beverly Public Library (Order 216). Also approved the use of $11,195.68 in FY2026 funds to pay prior year invoices (Order 221). Both were later ratified by the full council. - Public Services Committee: Recommended public hearings for National Grid petitions to install underground facilities on Tall Tree Drive (Order 223) and Cliff Street (Order 224), set for October 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM. Also recommended reappointments of Joyce Vasello and Mark Flags to David Lynch Park Trustees and Nancy Marina to Permanent Building Commission; all approved 9-0. - Legal Affairs Committee: Recommended approval of multiple appointments: Michael Barone Jr. to Zoning Board of Appeals, Joanna Murphy Scott and Emily Hutchings to Design Review Board, Wayne Miller to Open Space and Recreation Committee, Stacey Rogers as Ward 3 Council Representative to Open Space and Recreation Committee; all approved 9-0. Also recommended approval of storage of a boat at 353 Cabot Street (Order 222) – approved 9-0. Recommended approval of leases with Massachusetts Air and Space Museum (Order 218) – approved 9-0. Recommended an ordinance amendment to remove stop signs at Kernwood Avenue, McPherson Drive, and River Street (Order 220) – reported favorably but no final vote taken; pending publication and future reading. Motions and Orders - Order 206 – Handicapped Parking Amendment: First reading and first vote on proposed amendment to Section 270-49 to add handicapped parking spaces at 25½ Atlantic Street and 17 Orchard Street. Approved 9-0; second vote and final passage scheduled for October 6, 2025. Key Outcomes - All appointments and reappointments approved unanimously (9-0). - Gift to library and prior year invoice payment approved. - First reading of handicapped parking ordinance passed. - Lease with Massachusetts Air and Space Museum approved. - Boat storage at 353 Cabot Street approved. - Ordinance amendment to remove stop signs (Order 220) referred to committee and reported favorably, awaiting final consideration. - Public hearings set for National Grid petitions on October 6, 2025. Announcements - City Clerk Lisa Kent reminded residents that Beverly does not have a preliminary election in September; early voting will be for the November election.