Peabody City Council and Subcommittee Meetings - October 22, 2026

The Peabody City Council convened the Industrial and Community Development Committee, the Municipal Safety Committee, and the Regular City Council Meeting on the evening of October 22, 2026. Major topics included flood resilience zoning for the Walnut Street corridor, the Centennial Park strategic plan, extensive traffic safety discussions on Bartholomew Street and Casco Road, a failed attempt to override the mayor's snow ordinance veto, and the revocation of a business license for unpaid taxes.

Consent Calendar & Routine Approvals

• Fogo de Chão Entertainment License: Approved unanimously (10-0) for non-live and limited live entertainment (quarterly piano).
• El Fogon de la Rubia Show Cause: Council took no action (10-0) after the owner paid the 2026 renewal fine and cited personal medical issues.
• Mandalidis Auto Repair License Revocation: The Class 2 Motor Vehicle license was revoked unanimously (10-0) due to $11,711.20 in outstanding back taxes.
• Continuances: A zoning map amendment (495 Lowell Street) and a special permit (60 Pulaski Street) were both continued to November 12, 2026. Councilor Hockman recused himself from the 495 Lowell vote due to a direct abutter conflict of interest.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bartholomew Street Safety: Six residents provided extensive testimony. Paul Campbell described the street as a “Bartholomew Raceway” demanding speed humps and crosswalks. Jameson Kish displayed a damaged mailbox from a hit-and-run, calling for physical infrastructure over signs. George Smith detailed failures in truck exclusion enforcement and the danger from tractor-trailers. Amelia and Jeff Roy highlighted speeding, bus safety issues, and the absence of sidewalks and crosswalks endangering children and elderly pedestrians. Pam Swanson advocated for speed tables.
• Peabody Meadows: Councilor Ladoff relayed complaints from 29 residents about speeding on Granite Street and alcohol consumption in the parking lot.
• El Fogon de la Rubia: Owner Rosa Montes explained her license renewal oversight was due to surgery, an ankle injury, and an accident, confirming the fine was paid.

Discussion Items

• North River Resiliency Plan (Industrial Committee): Consultants Weston & Sampson and UTL presented flood modeling for the Walnut Street corridor. The plan recommends a zoning overlay limiting “building touchdown” to elevate structures above flood levels, allowing water drainage and mixed-use redevelopment. Councilor Peach expressed strong support, calling it the “pivotal piece we were missing.” The committee moved to receive the presentation; formal zoning proposals are the next step.
• Centennial Park Strategic Plan (Industrial Committee): Senior Planner Andrew Levin presented the study, funded by a $65,000 MassDevelopment grant. Key findings included an average building age of 50 years and significant out-of-state investment. Councilor Turko urged rapid action on zoning and District Improvement Financing, while Councilor Rosignal stressed highway egress improvements on Summit Street. The committee received the update, keeping the item in committee for further zoning work.
• Casco Road Intersection (Municipal Safety Committee): Mayor Bettencourt outlined the city’s history of attempting low-cost safety improvements. These efforts were halted by a MassDOT order in Sept 2024 following a complaint from the City of Lynn. The Mayor expressed deep frustration over the lack of progress and the impasse. Recent communication from MassDOT indicates they will re-engage on scheduling meetings.
• Bartholomew Street / Lynn Street / Fairview Ave Traffic (Municipal Safety Committee): Captain Scott Richards presented data: 19 accidents at Lynn/Bartholomew, 9 at Lynn/Fairview, and 19 on Bartholomew Street over five years. He recommended standardizing the speed limit to 25 mph (currently 20/30/20/30), replacing outdated signage, and relocating the speed reader. He strongly opposed speed humps, citing emergency vehicle delays and noise, but supported low-cost fog lines and striping.
• Snow Ordinance Veto Override (Full Council): The council debated the mayor’s veto. Councilors Welton and Daigle argued the ordinance was necessary to enforce rules against negligent absentee landlords. Councilors Gamash and Higgins countered it was unenforceable and would cause neighbor disputes. Councilor Ladoff cited remaining ambiguities. The override failed 6-4.
• High School Project (Full Council): Councilor Peach successfully moved to authorize the signing of a Construction Manager at Risk (CM at Risk) delivery method, sending the item to the Committee of the Whole.

Key Outcomes

• Failed Veto Override: The motion to override the Mayor’s snow ordinance veto failed (6 No, 4 Yes). Voting against override (upholding the veto): Gamash, Hockman, Turko, Manning Martin, Ladoff, Higgins. Voting to override (supporting the ordinance): Daigle, Welton, Rosignal, Peach.
• Bartholomew Street Directives (Municipal Safety Committee): The council voted to refer school bus stop issues to the joint ad hoc committee, instruct Police and DPS to evaluate crosswalk placement at Nathan’s Way/Valley Circle, direct DPS to replace all outdated signage, relocate the speed reader, and initiate the process with MassDOT to standardize the speed limit to 25 mph.
• Peabody Meadows Directives: The council approved “No Alcohol” signage on the premises. A motion to install speed tables was withdrawn; Councilor Ladoff will follow up with Captain Richards to review options.
• Crossing Guard Review: The review of crossing guard assignments was officially referred to the joint City Council and School Committee meeting.
• Budget: Council requested updated FY27 budget figures from the Mayor and Finance Director prior to December’s tax classification hearing.
• Poll Workers: Councilor Gamash announced the Board of Registrars approved staffing levels of 2 police officers per polling location for municipal elections and 3 for state elections.