Beverly City Council Meeting – May 19, 2026

The Beverly City Council met on May 19, 2026, to issue a life-saving proclamation, honor exemplary youth, review Community Preservation Committee (CPA) funding recommendations, and debate a proposed trash fee ordinance. The meeting included public comment, a public hearing, subcommittee reports, and extensive deliberation over the trash fee increase, which was ultimately tabled to a special meeting on May 26.

Proclamations & Awards

• Order 137 (Joint Proclamation): Mayor Michael P. Cahill and the Council recognized Marie Parisi, a YMCA teacher, for performing abdominal thrusts on a choking preschool student on December 16, 2025. The Council declared May 18, 2026 as "Marie Parisi Day" in Beverly. Approved 9-0.
• Exemplary Youth Awards: Five young people were honored for overcoming adversity and demonstrating leadership: Morgan Schmorrow (elementary), Lil Contos and Maddie St. Pierre (middle school tie), and Jack Bryson Barrow (high school). The program, established in 1996 and reignited in 2024, recognizes youth ages 7–19.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kayla McCauley (3 Henderson Ave) raised "four hard truths" about trash consumption, contract transparency, school funding, and affordability. She expressed concern that the trash fee increase and reduced school funding might make her family question staying in Beverly, but said she is "still willing to fight" and urged the Council not to let children suffer due to mismanagement and trash inflation.
• Erin Altman (6 Iverson) expressed respect for the Council and said voters made clear last fall they want creative solutions to close the funding gap and fully fund schools. She supported the new trash fee as one solution, argued the city has subsidized trash collection for years, and called accusations that city leaders do not care about residents "unfair and unproductive." She said continuing the current system is not financially or environmentally sustainable and called the fee "a vote for our teachers, our schools, and the city's long-term stability."

Public Hearing: CPA Funding Recommendations (Order 133)

• Derek Beckwith, CPC Chair, presented the 13th round recommendations. The CPA had a balance of $2,938,525.98, but $529,998.58 was restricted to open space projects, leaving about $2.4 million available. Eight applications requested about $2.7 million, creating a $289,000 shortfall. Two applicants reduced costs: the Beverly Housing Authority cut the Garden City Towers sprinkler project by $477,884, and the Central Cemetery project was rephased.
• Recommended projects (total $1,795,866): Gillis Park Basketball Court Replacement ($130,155); Ahern Park Goldway Playground Renovation ($250,000); Gilbert Park Bartlett Gardens Renovation ($240,000); Garden City Towers Fire Protection Sprinkler Installation ($825,645); Affordable Housing Trust ($64,004); Central Cemetery Tomb House Study ($23,390); Central Cemetery Fence and Gates Phase 1 ($237,000); Garden School outbuilding roof replacement ($25,672).
• No members of the public signed up to speak. Councilor Crowley asked whether the reduced sprinkler project had been reviewed by the Fire Chief; Beckwith said it will be. The hearing was closed and referred to the Finance and Property Committee.

Trash Fee Ordinance Discussion (Order 142)

• The Legal Affairs subcommittee voted 3-0 to report out an amendment reducing the proposed trash fees from $425 (65-gallon) and $280 (35-gallon) to $300 and $210, respectively. The ordinance requires two votes.
• Mayor Cahill explained that the city signed a contract with Casella for $5.46 million per year, a 38% increase from the current $3.9 million. He detailed the automated collection program, elimination of overflow bags, new bulk item fees, and options for hardship waivers and senior discounts. He defended the City Hall renovation project, stating that debt service is at 5% of the operating budget and that canceling the project would not solve recurring deficits.
• Councilor St. Hilaire strongly opposed any increase, proposing to cancel the City Hall project, eliminate positions, and cut spending elsewhere. Councilor Feldman supported the fee as part of necessary cuts and revenues, citing a $4 million deficit this year and $7 million in two years. Councilor Spang said she needed more information about trade-offs. Councilor Rotundo suggested exploring every-other-week recycling to save $400,000–$500,000 annually.
• Budget Analyst Mr. Perry advised the Council to make a decision before the Mayor's June 1 budget submission, noting the city must pass a balanced budget by June 30. He warned that canceling the City Hall project would waste $3.5 million already spent.
• Councilor Feldman proposed folding the fee decision into the June budget process to preserve the Council's ability to shape cuts. After extensive debate, President Flowers proposed scheduling a special meeting for Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 PM for public comment and further discussion. Councilor Rotundo withdrew his motion, and no vote was taken on the ordinance.

Key Outcomes

• Approved 9-0: Order 137 (proclamation), minutes of the March 2, 2026 Legal Affairs meeting, Orders 138–141 (setting public hearings), Orders 143–145 and 149 (donations and Apple lease), Order 132 (bicycle/pedestrian advisory appointment), Orders 59, 60, and 150 (crosswalk, signage, taxi license).
• CPA project votes: All eight project recommendations passed; the two Central Cemetery items passed 8-0 (Councilor Housman recused), all others passed 9-0.
• Public hearings set for June 1, 2026: 7:45 PM (roads/sidewalks transfer), 8:00 PM (OPEB), 8:15 PM (snow/ice), 8:30 PM (trash carts).
• Special meeting scheduled for May 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM to discuss the trash fee ordinance and take public comment. The proposed amended rates are $300 (65-gallon) and $210 (35-gallon), versus the original request of $425/$280.
• Referred to city solicitor: Research into the process for rescinding or reconsidering the City Hall project, at Councilor St. Hilaire's request.
• Adjourned 9-0.