Peabody City Council Regular Meeting - October 9, 2025
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Peabody City Council Regular Meeting - October 9, 2025
The Peabody City Council met on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 7:30 PM in the Frank L. Wigan Auditorium and via Zoom. President Julie Daigle (Ward 4) presided with all 11 councilors present. The meeting included two public hearings (a junk dealer license transfer and a special permit for physical therapy), several routine approvals, a proclamation, and updates on FEMA flood maps.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke for or against either hearing item, either in person or via Zoom.
Hearings
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Junk Dealer License Transfer – Threads (99/101 Lynn Street):
- Petitioner Denise Remington Hereford (doing business as Threads) requested a transfer of a junk dealer license to sell secondhand clothing, chocolates, and custom wreaths at the former Velvet Elvis/Ginger's Closet location. No opposition was raised.
- Councilor Welton noted he spoke with neighbors who are on board, and conditions from the 2022 approval were readopted with one addition: all lighting must be extinguished after closing. Health Director conditions included: no unauthorized dumping, sanitary items for resale, no mattress resale, monthly pest control, proper trash disposal, and lighting shut-off. Hours of operation: Monday–Wednesday 11 AM–6 PM, Thursday–Friday 11 AM–8 PM, Saturday 11 AM–5 PM, Sunday 12 PM–6 PM.
- Vote: 11–0 in favor (roll call).
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Special Permit – Professional Physical Therapy (635 Lowell Street):
- Applicants (clinical director Alice Leon and facilities director from corporate) sought a special permit for personal services physical therapy (not a medical use center). They have two licensed physical therapists. No opposition.
- Councilor Higgins spoke in support, noting the suite had been vacant. Hours were originally varied; after a suggestion from Councilor Manning Martin, the applicant amended hours to Monday–Friday 7 AM–8 PM and Saturday 8 AM–3 PM. The health department had no objections.
- Vote: 11–0 in favor (roll call).
Proclamation
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month: Councilor Peach introduced a joint proclamation with the Mayor declaring October 2025 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and October 15, 2025, as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. The council expressed condolences to affected residents.
- Vote: 11–0 in favor (roll call).
Discussion Items
- FEMA Flood Map Update (Councilor Turko): Councilor Turko reported on an article in Commonwealth Beacon featuring the director of community development, noted posted documents on the city website about the FEMA flood map and the Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) process for residents, and said they are still working to get a FEMA representative to speak before the council, likely in November after the government shutdown is resolved.
- Flea Market on Wallace Street (Councilor Peach): Raised concern about a flea market operating on Wallace Street for several weekends. The health department determined no health permit is needed since no prepared food is sold, but Councilor Peach felt some permit is required. He moved for the building commissioner to provide a determination on the needed permit. Motion approved unanimously.
- Sidewalk Issue at 14 Crockmall Street (Councilor Welton): An elderly neighbor slipped on a broken sidewalk. Councilor Welton moved under emergency preamble to have the Department of Public Services fix it. Emergency preamble and the motion both passed 11–0.
- City Clerk Fee Changes – Poll Books (Councilor McGinn): The clerk requested approval of increased fees for printed poll books ($20 for electronic copy) to cover costs. Some councilors questioned charging for electronic copies and suggested moving to free electronic distribution. The motion to approve was carried 10–0–1 (Councilor Manning Martin voted present).
- Other Routine Motions (under suspension of rules): Several items were received, approved, or set for public hearings, including a special event application for the Jason Bernard 5K (Saturday, October 11), referral of a utility contractor license, receipt of a communication regarding One Serena Terrace, and advertisement of an ordinance change regarding licensee fingerprinting/background checks.
Key Outcomes
- Approved Junk Dealer License Transfer for Threads at 99/101 Lynn Street with conditions (11–0).
- Approved Special Permit for Professional Physical Therapy at 635 Lowell Street with amended hours (11–0).
- Adopted Proclamation for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month (11–0).
- Referred Flea Market Issue to building commissioner for permit determination.
- Ordered Sidewalk Repair at 14 Crockmall Street under emergency preamble (11–0).
- Approved Poll Book Fee Increase (10–0–1).
- Advertised Ordinance Changes for license holder fingerprinting/quarry requirements and endorsed new procedures (11–0).
- Scheduled a special permit public hearing for a future date.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the regular meeting of the city council meeting of Thursday, October 9th, 2025. I'm Julie Daigle, Ward 4 City Councilor and City Council President. All counselors are present tonight. Public participation to this meeting is provided in person and remotely via Zoom in accordance with Mass General Laws. The Zoom link can be found on the city website. This meeting is also being televised and recorded by PBD TV and recorded by the City Council stenographer. Please join us for a moment of silence, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. You heard the motion. All in favor, any opposed, it's a vote. If any of you wonder why I awkwardly lean during the Pledge of Allegiance, it's so the microphone can hear us because people at home wonder why we're all standing there and can't hear the volume. So moving on to item four hearings, junk dealers license for A. Would the clerk please read the notice? Notices hereby given that the City Council of the City of Peabody will conduct a public hearing on Thursday evening, October 9th, 2025, 7 30 p.m. in the Frank L. Wigan Auditorium, City Hall, 24 Lowell Street, PBD Mass, and remotely via Zoom on the application from Denise Remington Hereford, DBA Threads 8 Hershey Street, Unit Three Salem Mass, requesting a junk dealers license for the sale of secondhand items at 99, also known as 101 Lynn Street PBD Mass. For remote participation using the Zoom platform, please visit WW.pbdHyphenma.gov under city calendar on the homepage or contact the city clerk's office. PBD City Councillor. Council. Councillor Julie K. Daigle, City Council President. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Would the petitioner please come before us, state your name and address for the record and give us a description of what you're looking to do? While you're on your way up, just hit the button on your right for the microphone to turn on. Thank you. Hello. Thank you for the welcome. And my name is Denise Remington Hartford. I am applying for a transfer of a special license, a junk dealer's license at 99 Lynn Street in Peabody, also known as 101 Lynn Street. I'm excited to uh hopefully become a part of the business community and provide um the services uh and goods to your residents. And um my intention is to um sell clothing and other items and the store is called threads. I also have um um some chocolates and custom wreaths. Um so after the meeting, um with no um sway on the vote. Um there will be some fine chocolates that I'll put in that room back there, if that's okay. Did I cover everything? If you didn't, well, someone will certainly reach out and ask. Uh we're gonna move on to the public and then have the counselor take a turn and then the counselors might call you back up. Yes. For now, I believe that was fantastic. Thank you. Great, thank you. Okay. Is there anyone in the audience that would like to speak in opposition? Is there anyone that would like to speak in favor? Is there anyone on the Zoom platform whatsoever with their hand raised? Seeing none. Counselor Welton. Thank you, Madam President. Um, I would like to receive uh late three, which is communication from um Health Commissioner Sarah Cameron. So move.
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