Beverly City Council Special Meeting: Trash Fee Structure Discussion - May 26, 2026

The Beverly City Council held a special meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, at 6:30 PM to continue discussion on Order 142, a proposed amendment to the city's trash fee structure. The meeting included public comment, a legal analysis of the city hall project, budget projections, and ultimately a vote on a modified fee schedule. The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:00 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Over 20 residents signed up to speak, with many expressing strong opposition to the proposed 325% increase (from $100 to $425). Common concerns included affordability for fixed-income seniors and working families, unfair billing for multi-unit dwellings, lack of senior and veteran discounts, potential for increased illegal dumping and rodent issues, and the timing of votes before all ward meetings had occurred.
• Kathleen Bayer (26 Atlantic Avenue) detailed that her six-unit condo association would be charged $1,680 (6 units × $280) despite putting out only two 32-gallon trash bins per week, calling the fee "excessive and unfair."
• Ed Stabler (4 West Beach Lane) urged rejection of the fee hike and free cash transfer, calling the city hall project "fiscally irresponsible" and proposing cuts to non-essential positions, consultants, and travel.
• Many speakers supported Councilor St. Hilaire's call for fiscal restraint and suggested eliminating the city hall project to avoid fee increases. Several questioned why the city could not cut spending before raising fees.
• Some residents requested clearer communication from the city and more time for public input before a vote.

Discussion Items

• City Hall Project Legal Analysis: City Solicitor Beth Oldmixon provided a written response to Vice President St. Hilaire's questions regarding the authority to cancel the city hall renovation project. She stated that the mayor, as chief executive and procurement officer, has the authority to cancel subject to existing contracts. The city council's ability to reconsider appropriation votes had expired (72-hour window). She noted $3.5 million already expended on the project.
• Budget Analyst Report: Budget analyst Jerry Perry urged the council to make a decision that evening, stating that further delay would complicate budget preparation. He estimated that the proposed amendment (reducing the fee to $300) would create a $1.4 million shortfall, equivalent to approximately 20 full-time employees when accounting for unemployment costs. He provided hypothetical cuts such as eliminating the library (over $2 million) or fire apparatus (16 employees), but emphasized these were not recommendations.
• Mayor's Response: Mayor Cahill addressed numerous questions from the public and council. He detailed the city's budget challenges, including state aid cuts from 24% to 13% of the operating budget, rising health care costs (9% increase proposed), and pension obligations. He outlined proposed cuts of 10.3 FTEs (including sustainability director, assistant finance director, DEIB coordinator reduction) even with the full fee increase. He also explained the need for the city hall renovation, citing ADA non-compliance, lack of HVAC, overcrowding, and the need to move health department out of the senior center. He discussed the Dollar Tree property purchase, electric bus grants, and the automated trash collection system's inevitability due to industry changes.
• Council Debate: Councilors debated the appropriate fee structure. Councilor Retundo proposed an amendment setting the standard fee at $300, a $200 opt-down for smaller 35-gallon bins, and a $400 opt-up for larger 95-gallon bins. Councilor Spang seconded. Councilor Crowley proposed reducing the standard fee to $200 and opt-down to $100, but this was not formally moved. Councilor St. Hilaire opposed any increase, arguing the council had not yet received the full budget and community meetings were incomplete. Councilor Houseman supported sending a message to the administration by passing a modified fee, noting that the second vote could still be changed. Councilor Feldman inquired about the timeline for the second vote and was advised it need not occur on June 1st.

Key Outcomes

• Vote on Councilor Retundo's Amendment: The council voted 7-2 to amend the proposed ordinance to set the residential trash fee at $300 per dwelling unit, with a reduced fee of $200 for those opting to use a single 35-gallon receptacle and an increased fee of $400 for those opting for a 95-gallon receptacle. This amendment passed with Councilors St. Hilaire and Houseman voting against (recorded as 7-2 in favor).
• Next Steps: The ordinance requires a second vote after being published for at least 10 days. The council will also hold a public hearing on June 1st regarding the proposed $1.6 million free cash transfer for purchasing trash containers. The mayor's full FY27 budget will be presented on June 1st. Further ward meetings are scheduled: Ward 4 on May 27th (Cove School), Ward 6 on May 28th, and Ward 5 on June 2nd.
• Other Announcements: The mayor agreed to provide information on possible income limits for hardship waivers (potentially raising from 30% to 40% of area median income) and to work with councilors on a veterans' discount policy. The city's waste reduction committee will facilitate donating usable barrels to avoid waste. Bulk item pickup will be available from households at set prices (to be posted).