Beverly City Council Regular Meeting - January 20, 2026

The Beverly City Council held a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers and via BevCam. The meeting included a presentation of the Council President's inauguration remarks, an update on city projects by the Mayor, three public hearings (CPA funding for Independence Park, loan authorization for City Hall renovation, and a debt stabilization fund transfer), comments from residents, and approval of numerous routine items. Key debates centered on the $27.895 million City Hall renovation project amid a projected FY27 operating budget deficit.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of meeting minutes from December 1, 2025, December 15, 2025, and January 5, 2026 (9-0).
• Appointment of Donna Matazzaro as City Accountant (9-0).
• Reappointment of Brian Ailes as Director of Municipal Finance (9-0).
• Acceptance of an $850,000 grant from MA Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for housing rehabilitation (9-0).
• Donations: $3,000 from Beverly Female Charitable Society for Council on Aging (9-0); $10,000 anonymous donation for Council on Aging (9-0); $100 from David Mandonka for Shaw's gift cards for veterans (9-0); $50 from John Lindall in memory of Daniel Beecher for Beverly Police Department (9-0).
• Grants: $163,964 911 support grant (9-0); $69,632.28 911 training grant (9-0); MA DEP Technical Assistance grant (9-0); $2,500 workplace safety grant (9-0); $15,000 Mass Cultural District Investment grant (9-0); acceptance of Mass Tech Collaborative grant for 220 devices (9-0).
• License renewals: Tri-City Services taxi delivery (9-0); AJ's mobile detailing (9-0); American Petroleum (9-0); Brito Corp dba Auto Dine (9-0); George Sampson hawkers/peddlers (9-0); Bass River Day Activity Program taxi delivery (9-0).
• Appointments/reappointments: John Reynolds to Veterans Advisory Committee (9-0); Joanne Penazuyo, Colleen Michaels, Mary Earl to Library Trustees (9-0 each).
• Approval of order for creation of a COVID Memorial Subcommittee (9-0).
• Approval of order to set a public hearing for the Seaport Economic Council grant on February 2 at 8:45 PM.
• Set public hearings for five National Grid and GoNet Speed petitions on February 2 at various times (all 9-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Mitchell Sorovic (42 Pratt Avenue) spoke against the installation of Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras on Brimble Avenue, Elliott Street, and Rantoul Street. He argued they are a violation of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search, cited examples of misuse, and called for their immediate removal.
• Aisha Sidicki (Ward 3) made two requests: (1) that the Council adopt a land acknowledgement at the start of meetings, offering to read it until then; (2) that the Council formally oppose any 287(g) or task force agreements between the Beverly Police Department and ICE, following the example of the Worcester City Council resolution passed September 30, 2025.
• Yuplio Rick Marciano (141 McKay Street) opposed the City Hall renovation project, arguing the city faces a structural deficit and should not take on new debt. He suggested using $2 million from the stabilization fund and $1 million from free cash to address the FY27 budget deficit instead.
• Paul Herrick (18 Bay View F, Beverly) initially opposed the project but after the presentation expressed support, stating the building needs improvement. He also suggested exploring the sale of the Family Dollar building across the street with conditions on height limits and demolition.

Discussion Items

• Council President Flowers' Inaugural Remarks: President Flowers read remarks originally intended for the inauguration, using Amanda Gorman's poem "What We Carry" to encourage creativity, connection, and serious purpose in governance, especially in addressing challenges such as the FY27 budget shortfall, affordable housing, infrastructure, and support for vulnerable communities.
• Mayor Cahill's Project Update:
  • Youth Center: Construction nearly complete; occupancy expected by mid-March 2026 with a dedication ceremony in early April.
  • Central Fire Station: Building envelope work finished; HVAC heat pumps installed; electrical equipment on order, completion expected late March.
  • Public Library Main Branch: Contractor Consigli Construction began work on January 20; completion by early June 2026; $2.2 million budget for insulation and air handling unit replacement.
  • Water Meter Replacement: 250 meters installed to date; full ramp-up to four installers daily in February; target substantial completion by summer 2027. Customers with estimated bills asked to provide readings; city will prioritize broken meters where possible.
  • Bridge Street Project: Completed from Danvers line to Folger Avenue; temporary Bass River bridge work ongoing.
  • Rapid Flashing Beacons: Five new beacons installed at high pedestrian locations, fully state-funded.
  • Brimble Avenue/Dunham Roundabout: $7.4 million state-funded roundabout at Dunham Road and Brimble Avenue; construction expected early summer 2026 with 18-month timeline. Phase two (overpass) design at 10% to enter state TIP.
  • Three Bridges Project: Temporary bridge under construction; expected open to traffic summer 2027; efforts underway to accelerate by driving piles on both sides.
  • Auberge Park and Lynch Park: Both coastal parks facing delays due to Mass Historic Commission review; state grants not yet secured but working with state officials.
• City Hall Renovation and Addition Project:
  • Presentation: Mayor Cahill, Colliers (OPM), Fine Gold Alexander (architect), and W.T. Rich (construction manager) presented the $28.395 million project (including $1 million temporary relocation). The project includes renovating the 90-year-old City Hall, demolishing the former police station annex and building a new two-story addition, making the building fully ADA compliant, adding a mother's room, 14 bathrooms (gender-neutral, single-use), seven meeting rooms (from two), and all-electric HVAC with 40% energy use reduction. Construction cost is $553 per square foot. Financing: $25.895 million bond authorization (Order 10) and $2 million from the debt stabilization fund (Order 10A) to reduce borrowing.
  • Council Debate: Councilors discussed the tension between the project and the projected FY27 operating deficit. Councilor Feldman (Finance Forecasting Committee chair) emphasized operating and capital budgets are separate; debt service at 5% of operating budget is responsible; delaying would add $1.7 million in inflation. Councilor Housman asked about architectural details and IT server room. Councilor St. Hilaire questioned the administration's ability to balance the budget without layoffs or overrides; the Mayor stated all options are on the table and the city will pass a balanced budget, noting it is a challenging process. Mr. Perry (Budget Analyst) recommended approval, stating a one-year delay would cost $1.7 million extra and that the project avoids a debt exclusion override. Councilor Housman highlighted that the structural deficit stems from inflation, not debt service, and that using debt capacity for operating needs would compromise future projects like school roofs.
• CPA Out-of-Cycle Funding: The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) recommended $200,000 for Independence Park renovations, including an overlook terrace, ADA path, new stairway, and 14 benches. Funding also from a $60,000 MOTT grant (deadline June 30, requiring out-of-cycle), $20,000 from Beverly Rotary, and $5,000 from Beverly 400+. Approved unanimously.
• Order 43: Councilors Feldman and Mulady proposed creating a temporary special committee to explore options for addressing the "looming" 2027 forecasted budget deficit. Referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs.

Key Outcomes

• CPA Funding for Independence Park: Approved 8-0 (Councilor Retundo recused).
• City Hall Loan Authorization (Order 10): Approved 7-2 (two-thirds majority required). Councilors St. Hilaire and one other opposed.
• Debt Stabilization Transfer (Order 10A): Approved 7-2.
• COVID Memorial Subcommittee: Approved 9-0.
• Temporary Special Committee on FY27 Budget Deficit: Referred to Legal Affairs for further action.
• Public Hearing Scheduled: Seaport Economic Council grant ($550,000) for Commercial Hoist Pier Reconstruction set for February 2, 2026 at 8:45 PM.
• Next Regular Meeting: February 2, 2026, with multiple public hearings and a presentation from the Beverly Human Rights Committee.