City Council Minutes 01-19-2021City of Beverly
City Council Regular Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2021, 7pm
This meeting was conducted under the `Executive Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the
Open Meeting Law G.L. c.30A, §20', signed on March 12, 2020. This remote meeting was held
over Google Meet and live streamed by BevCam. Public access information for the hearings was
provided on the meeting agenda.
Paul Guanci, City Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:03pm over Google Meet.
City Clerk, Lisa Kent, took the attendance by roll call.
Members Present: Stacy Ames, Dominic Copeland, Kathleen Feldman, Timothy Flaherty, Julie
Flowers, Estelle Rand, Todd Rotondo, Paul Guanci
Members Absent: Scott Houseman
Rand and Guanci led the councilors in the pledge of allegiance.
Guanci made a statement about the meeting being recorded by the City of Beverly and streamed
by BevCam on channel 99 and BevCam's YouTube channel. He confirmed that all members
present could hear him and noted the remote meeting format and process due to Covid -19.
Guanci read Rule 22 of the Beverly City Council. He introduced a vote to allow items to be
taken out of committee and voted on the floor. Kent took a roll call vote and the motion carried
(9 -0). Guanci read the guidelines for public hearings.
Presentations Awards and Memorials
Susan Higgins from the Waste Reduction Committee presented on the Waste Management Best
Practices for the City of Beverly. She stated that disposed waste was 12,612 tons for the year for
the City, higher than other years, which could be due to COVID and people being home more.
She highlighted some of the committee's projects, like implementing carry- in/carry-out at Lynch
Park, the compost program, the two trash barrel limit with overflow bags, the bring your own
bag ordinance, and an upcoming polystyrene ordinance. She noted that the existing contract with
JRM expires in June 2021, and the state has a pending ban on the disposal of mattresses and
textiles. She discussed some of the committee's recommendations, like prioritizing reduction
before reusing and recycling. She said the committee recommends committing to a Pay as You
Throw (PAYT) program, where residents pay a per -unit fee (by sticker or by bag). A hybrid
program would be a one - barrel limit. More than 150 municipalities in MA have PAYT programs.
Doing this would also increase grant possibilities. Another recommendation is to increase access
to food waste composting. Beverly is currently at 10% participation for curbside composting. In
2020, 1,277 subscribers to the compost program generated 348 tons and saved the City $24,000
in avoided tipping fees. To increase access to the food waste composting, some options would be
to educate residents on home composting, provide a drop off option, or look into having the City
sponsor the program. She also recommended evaluating public space waste management
practices like carry- in/cany -out and developing strong public outreach and education, while
accommodating unique needs and circumstances like the homeless community, dog waste, and
to -go containers from restaurants and food trucks. Another recommendation she highlighted was
taking action to improve recycling city -wide by implementing clear and consistent recycling
practices (dual or single stream) and enforcing recycling city -wide so private businesses or
associations with private haulers must collect recycling as well. She suggested providing more
opportunities for additional recycling for harder to recycle items, which may help alleviate illegal
dumping. The committee would like the City to endorse or require sustainable waste
management for events. Other recommendations for the City were to provide dedicated city staff
for enforcing contract provisions, expanding outreach and education, leading by example, and
collaborating with the Waste Reduction Committee.
The presentation was put on hold for the public hearing.
Public Hearings
7:15PM -Order #290 - National Grid Petition - Intersection Hale Street and E. Corning Street
Michael Byrne from National Grid spoke on the item, saying there is a house that needs separate
service.
Guanci closed the public hearing.
A roll call vote was taken, and the order was approved (8 -0).
Presentations, Awards and Memorials (Continued)
Guanci opened the floor to questions from councilors for Susan Higgins of the Waste Reduction
Committee.
Rotondo asked about the trash cans in parks and if it would be considered on a case to case basis.
Higgins stated she cannot speak to the policy for the City, but it is her understanding that the
City is moving towards carry- in/carry -out, but it is unclear if that is because of COVID or if it is
the direction the City is moving in. She spoke of the success at Lynch Park but understands it
may require site specific considerations and strong outreach and education.
Ames said she was disappointed to not see the administration at the meeting and hopes that they
will take these recommendations seriously. She asked about Susan Higgins' day job and some of
the experience of others on the committee.
Higgins said she is an engineer and has worked for many years on solid waste management. She
now works at Northeastern University as the Associate Director of Materials and Recycling. As
far as the committee goes there is a broad range - some who go back to the early days and know
the history of the committee and some new people that have just stepped up and believe in the
sustainable waste management and taking the steps towards where the City should be. There are
two openings on the committee.
Feldman asked about the financial benefit of having dual stream recycling for the City.
Higgins noted dual stream goes back many years. She said it is the best way to have a cleaner
recycling stream, and the cleaner the recycling stream is, less contamination and less fees. Right
now, Beverly has a uniquely good contract. We can expect that we will see increases in cost.
Dual stream does have the potential to keep a lower cost for the City, but when people take the
time to separate it and then JRM mixes it in the truck, people get confused and frustrated and
give up on the program.
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Flowers asked if Salem has dedicated staff for enforcement, education and outreach.
Higgins said yes, as far as she knew, that was the case. They are available for outreach and
implementation of programs like electronic collection, repair clinics and those kinds of events.
Flowers asked about food still in the waste stream and education on what happens when we put
food in landfills. She has encountered with the composting program that people will say, "I have
a garbage disposal; I don't need composting." She asked if there is a benefit over a garbage
disposal, or if Ms. Higgins could speak to that process.
Higgins said one thought is that land -based compost closes the circle; by returning the nutrients
to the soil it is a closed loop cycle. When food waste is put down the disposal, it goes to the
water management plant. The food waste can be combined with sludge, but it is not quite the
highest or best use of it. The sludge can be used for non -food applications, but compost can be
used to help in growing more food.
Flowers asked about recycling decline and ways to do better education around which plastics can
be recycled or not and the benefits of still recycling.
Higgins said they are looking at what the containers are and what the facilities can take. A lot of
little items or black plastic doesn't get sorted by the technology at facilities.
Copeland said the outreach and education is a huge piece he would like to see grow more. He
asked what the difference would be for individuals or households financially with the pay as you
throw programs compared to what we are currently doing. He also asked how composting could
offset other costs and what it would cost the City and households.
Higgins said in terms of pay as you throw, right now, it is $100 per year for residents with two
bags per week. We could structure a program that mirrors the trash fee now but translates it to a
per -bag or per- sticker fee that would be equal. The goal here is really to get residents to, ahead of
recycling, find ways to not generate it in the first place - turn things down, finding ways to reuse
or repair things. It would require a more detailed look at it to answer the question of finances.
We could work with the City; there are ways to balance it and mirror what we have now in a way
that is more equitable for homeowners. The idea is that it would be like water, if you use more,
you pay a higher bill; if you generate more trash, you pay more. There could be opportunities for
seniors or people to apply for reductions or waivers.
Copeland stated he didn't want people having to pay more for less service.
Higgins stated that through Black Earth Compost residents pay $79.99 /year per household; other
communities pay as much as $99.99 per six months. If we were to move to a city- sponsored
program, prices would increase because of prevailing wage requirements, but at the same time
we would hope to have more participants if it were offered at no cost to residents, but that is
something that would require competitive bidding or a more detailed analysis.
Copeland asked if we went to Pay as You Throw and down to one 35 gallon barrel per
household, if there was an idea of what family size that represents.
Beverly City Council Meetizzg Minutes — Januarq 19, 2021, page 3 of 7
Higgins said when the City went from five barrels to two barrels, it was easy because that is what
it looked like most people were putting out in Beverly. She said we have to be creative and work
on education.
Copeland asked about the ban on textiles and mattress ban that is coming up.
Higgins stated that right now the state has waste ban materials like cardboard, paper, tin cans and
glass bottles, which are banned from disposal and must be recycled. As part of the 2030 draft
master plan, the state is proposing to change the list to tighten up who is required to compost,
and textiles and mattresses will be added to the ban list, so we will need to find a way to recycle
those. For textiles, there are drop offs at the schools and working with Beverly Bootstraps, we
are probably in pretty good shape to address that with education, but we will have to find a way
to handle mattresses whether it be a drop off location, scheduled events, or encouraging people
to have their old mattress taken away and recycled when they buy a new mattress. The ban is
scheduled to be implemented in October 2021.
Rand urged the councilors to take a look at the state's waste management plan and goals because
the recommendations the committee has come up with are really in line with the state's plan.
Being in line with the state plan means the City can get more and better grant funding. Rand had
asked Commissioner Collins about not having barrels in parks this year, and he said, depending
on the time of year, it freed up 2 workers for 2 days a week year round, and up to 4 days a week
in the summer, to take care of other work like filling potholes and street sweeping and that across
the City there was less litter than usual. With the support from the City we can educate on how to
be a respectful and responsible user of public spaces, and that means increased productivity for
public services, who have staff work on higher priority items like sidewalk repairs.
Flowers noted there is a textile recycling program through Black Earth Compost for those who
participate in the compost program or who are looking into participating.
Guanci thanked Higgins for the presentation and the committee for their work.
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meetings: December 21, 2020 and January 4, 2021
Rotondo motioned to approve. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
Order #020 - Grant - $66,040 from MassDOT to be used for removal and replacement of existing
security fencing encompassing portions of the airport property
Catherine Barrett, Director of Grants, stated there is a small match for the grant.
Bryant Ayles stated the fund transfer for the match to the grant requires a public hearing. He
recommended accepting it all at once since the grant and fund transfer were presented as one
order.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — January 19, 2021, page 4 of 7
Gloria Bouillon noted this is a reimbursement through Mass DOT and goes with the security
plan and wildlife hazard management plan for the airport. This is to replace a current fence. The
project has already been permitted and started.
Flaherty moved to set the public hearing for 7:30pm at the next meeting on February 1st. Rand
seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Order #021- Grant - $15,000 from Department of Fish & Game: Division of Marine Fisheries -
Small Grants Program for improvements and repairs to the Beverly Harbor Pier
Catherine Barrett, Director of Grants, stated this is for repairs to the Beverly pier and because of
the saltwater the pier constantly needs repairs and upgrades and gets frequent use from our
anglers.
Rotondo moved to approve the grant. Ames seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #022 - Appointment -Ms. Jan Pierce, 1 Neptune Court to the Veterans' Advisory Board
Referred to the Committee on Public Services.
Order #011A- Information related to a request from the January 4, 2021 Council Meeting for a
ten year lease for Electric school bus.
Held to February 1 st meeting.
Communications, from other City Officers and Boards
Order # 012 -City Clerk — Request approval to change Order Numbers #284 4294 -to #001- #011.
Rand moved to approve. Rotondo seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried
(8 -0).
Order# 013 -City Clerk — Approval of 2021 Election Schedule
Rotondo moved to approve. Rand seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried
(8 -0).
Order #015 -City Clerk -Class II Motor Vehicle License renewal -Cabot Fuels, 449 Cabot Street
Rotondo moved to approve. Feldman seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #016 - Councilor Houseman - Questions and comments on Plan Beverly: Comprehensive
Master Plan (adopted January 2021)
Guanci stated Houseman asked that we hold this until February 1st and said he would accept a
motion to receive and place on file.
Rotondo moved. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Order #017 - Councilor Houseman - Nomination of Councilor Copeland text.
Rotondo moved to receive and place on file. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and
the motion carried (8 -0).
Beverly City Council Meetir:g Minutes — Januat) 2021, page 5 of 7
LATE FILE: Order #023 - Finance Director- Approval to allow the School Department FY2021
appropriated funds toward the payment of two (2) prior year invoices totaling $2,100
Flowers moved to accept the late file. Rotondo seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the
motion carried (8 -0).
Ayles spoke to the item, stating that it is a request to utilize funds in the current fiscal year for
services in the previous fiscal year, and it is a run of the mill type expenditure. The City Council
is required to vote because it spans fiscal years. This would come out of the school's budget.
Rotondo moved to approve. Feldman seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Communications, Applications and Petitions
Order# 018 - Petition - National Grid -Plan # 29762820 for the intersection of Church St. Briscoe
St and Essex Street
Rand moved to set the public hearing for February 1st at 7:15pm. Rotondo seconded. A roll call
vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Order# 019 - Petition - National Grid Plan # 29848216 for the intersection of Brimbal & Dunham
Road
Rotondo moved to set the public hearing for February 1 st at 7:20pm. Flowers seconded. A roll
call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Old Business
Order #279 -A Comprehensive Master Plan of the City of Beverly
Held to February 1 st meeting.
Reports of Committees
Committee on Finance and Property
Order #005 ( #288) Reappointments- Susan Gabriel, 26 Dartmouth Street; Richard Dinkin,
93 Bridge Street; and Michael P. Cahill, Mayor as Trustees on the Beverly Affordable
Housing Trust
Rotondo moved to approve. Rand seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #011( #294) Lease- 10 -year lease with Highland Electric Transportation for $26,000
per year for electric school bus
Held to February 1 st meeting.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — January 19, 2021, page 6 of 7
Committee on Legal Affairs
Order #002 ( #285) - Appointment- Ms. Chelsea Zakas as Planning Department representative
on the Design Review Board
Zakas stated she started working in late November with the Planning Department and is
looking forward to working with the Design Review Board.
Rotondo moved to approve. Ames seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #004 ( #287) Reappointments- Victoria Burke Caldwell, 7 Bancroft Avenue and James
Lavasseur, 27 Pershing Avenue to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Flowers moved to approve. Feldman seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Committee on Public Services
Order #003 ( #286) Reappointments- Mary Behrle, 21 Cobblers Lane; Kevin O'Reilly, 6
Mason Street; Margaret Altman, 114 Water Street; Myron Shirer- Suter, 12 Munroe Street;
Marshall Handly, 6 Clark Avenue; and Ivy Mahan, 38 Crescent Avenue as Trustees of the
Beverly Public Library
Rotondo moved to approve. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #006 ( #289) Reappointment- William Lowd, 18 Pierson Street, to the Beverly Golf
and Tennis Commission
Ames moved to approve. Rotondo seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #010 ( #293)- Councilor Copeland - Sinkholes in Beverly Farms
Copeland noted he sent a video to be reviewed.
Guanci said to hold it until there is a bit more of a resolution.
Ames commented on the inauguration coming tomorrow and having a woman vice president.
She talked about growing up going out with her parents dropping off political literature. She
remembered Fran Alexander as a leader in the community.
Guanci said Fran was instrumental in helping him run for office, and she told him not to put his
pencil behind his ear after his first meeting twenty years ago, so fie has tried not to do that since.
She was an amazing woman, and we were lucky to have her.
Flowers read a joint statement on behalf of elected officials that she worked on with Mayor
Cahill to condemn the January 6, 2021 violence at the Capitol.
Guanci read correspondence from Erina Keefe announcing a public information session for the
City's aggregation plan called Beverly Community Electric on January 20th at 6:30pm. The plan
is available for review until February 5.
Feldman motioned to adjourn. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0). The meeting adjourned at 8:42pm.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — January 19, 2021, page 7 of 7