Beverly City Council Meeting – June 1, 2026

The Beverly City Council met on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 191 Cabot Street. The meeting featured the official presentation of the Fiscal Year 2027 city budget by Mayor Cahill, an update from National Grid on the long-running transmission line replacement project, five public hearings, and a full agenda of subcommittee reports and votes. Notable actions included approval of a $1.6 million transfer from free cash to purchase new automated trash carts, approval of several free cash transfers for roads, sidewalks, snow/ice, and OPEB, and a first vote on accessory dwelling unit zoning amendments. The council also postponed a second vote on the trash fee ordinance pending a community meeting in Ward 5.

Presentations

• FY27 Budget Presentation (Mayor Cahill & Finance Director Brian Ailes): The mayor presented a proposed balanced budget of $180,884,417 for FY27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Key elements include: a $4.5 million increase (5.28%) for Beverly Public Schools (total $89,867,235) and $690,000 more for Essex Tech (total $4,650,519). The budget assumes a trash fee increase of $300/residential and $650/commercial as previously voted by the council. The mayor outlined staff reductions across multiple departments, totaling several positions eliminated or reduced (e.g., 2.5 positions in the Mayor's office, 1.5 in Inspectional Services, attrition of 2 in DPS, 1 in Police, 1 in Fire). The city will finish FY26 with a balanced budget. Budget hearings begin Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m.
• National Grid Update (Dan Granger): The N192 115kV transmission line replacement project is nearing completion. New cable is expected to be energized this month. Removals of the old cable will begin in early July in three phases: (1) Goat Hill neighborhood and River Street (priority for the city, 12 weeks, ~40 ft. per day per crew), (2) along the MBTA route (starting October, with efforts to maximize daytime track outages), and (3) under the Danvers River (permit window Nov 15 – Feb 15, 30 days of removal). Completion of all removals is expected by April 2027. Councilor Housman noted the project has taken five years instead of the original two, and thanked National Grid for partnering with the Community Advisory Committee.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lindsay Ducharm (31 Bertram Street): Expressed concern that the proposed $4.5 million school increase is a "balanced budget" not a "critical needs budget." Noted that the district faces pressures including increased transportation and athletic fees, preschool tuition increases, and nearly $1 million in reductions tied to teacher positions. Urged the council to fully fund revenue needed to avoid deeper cuts.
• Caleb McCauley (300 Cent Avenue): Criticized the process, stating the mayor had not spoken to the school superintendent before presenting the budget, and that the trash contract vote came before the city budget was finalized. Called for a post-budget review to improve transparency and proactivity.
• Aya Sidicki (Ward 3): Delivered a land acknowledgement. Requested the council amend its rules to allow speakers to give only their ward number (not full address) to protect safety of marginalized groups. Cited her experience at the May 26 trash meeting where she felt unsafe as the only person of color in the room. Encouraged reconsideration after budget season.
• Additional public comments were taken during the five public hearings (see below).

Public Hearings

1. Order 127 – Naming of Roadway “Matt Ziegler Way” (7:30 PM)

• Proposal: To name the road leading into Beverly Golf and Tennis in honor of Jan Ernst Matzeliger, inventor of the automatic shoe lasting machine.
• Speakers: Abby Battis (Director of Historic Beverly, 10 Stanley Street) and Dr. Kenan McKenzie-DeFranzer (NAACP North Shore, immediate past Ward 2 School Committee) both expressed strong support, noting Matzeliger's contributions to the shoe industry and United Shoe Machinery, and the importance of recognizing a Black immigrant inventor in Beverly's 400th year.
• Outcome: Hearing closed; referred to Committee on Legal Affairs. Later that evening, the council approved the order (8-0).

2. Order 138 – Transfer $2,400,000 for Road and Sidewalk Capital Fund (7:45 PM)

• Proposal: Transfer from certified free cash to the road and sidewalk capital fund to support FY27 paving.
• Finance Director Brian Ailes explained this is a year-end transfer using positive revenue variances. The city's free cash balance is ~$10.5 million; after all requested transfers, remaining balance would be ~$5.1 million, with an anticipated ~$8.5 million after positive revenue variances. Councilor St. Hilaire questioned the sustainability of using free cash for this purpose rather than operating budget. Mayor Cahill noted that $2.4 million would cover most targeted streets; additional state Chapter 90 funds (~$1.5 million expected) and National Grid mitigation funds also available.
• Public Speakers: Tony Musante (12 Willow Street) asked for accounting of National Grid payments for road repairs; Yuplio Marciano (141 McKay Street) questioned state gas tax return and excise tax allocation.
• Outcome: Hearing closed; referred to Finance & Property. Later approved by full council (9-0).

3. Order 139 – Transfer $209,923 to OPEB Trust (8:00 PM, recessed then reopened)

• Proposal: Annual transfer of 2% of certified free cash to the Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) trust. Finance Director noted the city's OPEB liability is ~$300 million; the trust currently holds about $2 million. Councilor Housman asked about increasing contributions once the pension is paid off (~2032-2033).
• Public Speaker: Jerry Rathy (Beverly Commons) urged support for veterans, opposing the proposed staffing cut in the Council on Aging (part-time position elimination). Councilor Housman clarified the council can only cut expenditures, not add money.
• Outcome: Approved by full council (9-0).

4. Order 140 – Transfer $1,179,728 to Snow and Ice Budget (8:15 PM, recessed then reopened)

• Proposal: Cover deficit from winter storms; the city budgeted $800,000 but overspent due to a harsh winter. Mr. Ailes noted typical moderate winters are covered, but this year no flexibility to shift funds from other DPS accounts.
• Public Speaker: Yuplio Marciano asked if the FY28 budget will again include $800,000 for snow; confirmed yes.
• Outcome: Approved by full council (9-0).

5. Order 141 – Transfer $1,600,000 for Automated Trash Carts (8:30 PM)

• Proposal: Purchase, assemble, and deliver new carts for the fully automated trash and recycling collection contract beginning July 1, 2026. The order covers ~26,000 carts (with breakdown: 13,000 95-gallon recycling, 1,000 65-gallon recycling, 500 35-gallon recycling, 300 95-gallon trash, 13,000 64-gallon trash, 500 35-gallon trash). Default sizes: 65-gallon trash, 95-gallon recycling.
• Public Speakers (five): Tony Musante (questioned using free cash, waste of existing barrels, lack of communication); Yuplio Marciano (asked about cheaper vendors, if no vote would halt contract); Terry Mayle (180 Hill Street) (asked why not extend Republic contract, concerns about bin sizes and lack of clarity); Caleb McCauley (noted Casella not present at meetings); Emma Basso (99 Love It) (questioned ordering without knowing actual need, storage of extras).
• Council Discussion: Mayor Cahill explained the city is committed to automation; the contract with Casella begins July 1 regardless of cart purchase. Carts will be delivered June 18–30. Residents have until August 15 to opt for different sizes. Multifamily units can request fewer carts if needed. Councilor Feldman urged better communication earlier. Councilor St. Hilaire asked for timeline; Mayor confirmed order placed June 2 if approved.
• Outcome: Subcommittee approved (3-0); full council approved (8-1). Motion to reconsider failed (0-9).

Key Outcomes

• FY27 Budget Process Kicked Off: Budget hearings begin Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 PM in Council Chambers; final budget meeting on Wednesday, June 17.
• Trash Cart Purchase Approved (Order 141): $1.6 million transferred from free cash to purchase carts (8-1 vote).
• Free Cash Transfers Approved: Orders 138 ($2.4M for roads/sidewalks), 139 ($209,923 for OPEB), 140 ($1.18M for snow/ice) all passed 9-0.
• Road Naming Approved (Order 127): Road to Beverly Golf and Tennis named Matzeliger Way (8-0).
• ADU Zoning First Vote (Order 119): First reading of accessory dwelling unit ordinance amendments passed 9-0; final passage at next meeting.
• Trash Fee Second Vote Postponed: Order 142 (trash fee ordinance) will be taken after Ward 5 community meeting; Councilor Crowley is drafting an amendment for veterans reduction.
• Other Approvals: Multiple donations and grants accepted (orders 153, 154, 155); reappointments and appointments referred to committees and later approved.
• National Grid Removals: Scheduled to begin July 2026, with completion expected by April 2027.