Beverly City Council Regular Meeting – October 6, 2025

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.