20221003 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes City of Beverly
Regular City Council Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes jQ?j "� 12 P 3: 4u
Monday,October 3,2022,7:OOpm L
City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot St.
Julie Flowers, City Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:OOpm. City Clerk, Lisa
Kent,took attendance by roll call.
Members Present: Hannah Bowen, Steven Crowley, Kathleen Feldman, Scott Houseman,Estelle
Rand, Todd Rotondo,Matthew St. Hilaire,Brendan Sweeney, Julie Flowers
Members Absent: None
Bowen led the pledge of allegiance.
Presentations,Awards and Memorials
Finance Director,Bryant Ayles and ARPA Manager,Cindy Dalton-ARPA Update
Dalton stated that 18% of the ARPA funds have been expended to date and 9%are planned
before the end of the year. The City of Beverly received $12.6 million. Renovating the
McPherson Youth Center is the largest project planned for ARPA funds. Small business and
nonprofit grant programs have been implemented to support these organizations. 112 small
businesses applied to the grant program, and over $1.8 million dollars total were granted to 59
businesses. Beverly-based nonprofit organizations will receive approximately$1.3 million in
grant funds. Public health initiatives include vaccination,testing sites, and distribution of at-
home test kits. Projects that have already been completed include the 2021 Artist in Residence
program and the welcome desk at City Hall. Dalton spoke on some of the upcoming projects.
The McPherson project has an anticipated timeline of design selection in fall 2022, design in
fall/winter 2022, bidding in spring 2023, start of construction in summer 2023 and a tentative
completion of the project in summer/fall 2024. Youth support programs include the summer
learning loss prevention program for summers of 2023 and 2024. The City is hoping to partner
with other youth-services organizations. For technology support,the City plans to purchase tech
equipment to make hybrid meetings more seamless and effective.
Bowen asked about supporting affordable housing work and where that might fit.
Ayles stated the City is working with some area nonprofits around some of the senior needs for
affordable housing. There are some discussions starting to see if there are partnerships that can
be formed for this work; the need is greater than these resources can provide on their own.
Comments by Citizens
Lorinda Visnick, 39 Middlebury Lane,read a land acknowledgement statement. Visnick asked
that as many committee meetings as possible be in the City Council Chambers and broadcast by
BevCam.
Public Hearings
7:20 PM-Order#220-A transfer of$100,000 to perform the final cleanout of the former Briscoe
Middle School and to perform preliminary engineering work related to the construction of the
pickle ball court at the Birch playing fields
Ayles stated this request seeks to shift$100,000 from the reserve for unforeseen. The plan is to
come back and replenish the reserve for unforeseen upon certification of free cash.
City Council Budget Analyst Gerry Perry stated he would recommend adoption.
Houseman asked for the balance of the reserve for unforeseen after this.
Perry stated it would be left with$150,000 if this $100,000 transfer were approved. The intention
is to put that$100,000 back sometime in December or January.
Houseman asked what the anticipated breakdown is between the two projects.
Ayles stated the City would still need to bid for rubbish disposal,but it would be an estimated
$75,000 for that and$65,000 for the engineering consulting work for pickle ball. There is the
$200,000 earmark from the state which will help for the construction phase.
Bowen stated she was curious about these not being budgeted in the public property budget
given that these were foreseeable, although maybe not foreseeable on the timeline, certainly
something we knew was coming.
Ayles stated that it is really about a timing issue. Building the budget starts in March, and
although there are many initiatives in the works,we do not always know the timing. With the
pickle ball courts, the earmarks were not finalized until the state budget was approved. At that
point it became an issue of timing. The reserve for unseen is a safety net until free cash is
certified. This is really just a borrowing from unforeseen until that free cash is certified. It is the
same with the Briscoe project; there was a lot of uncertainty around that project and to set aside
$75,000 or$100,000 without knowing if it will be used,this seems like a better option. We do
not want to eliminate the flexibility that the public property budget has because that in some
Iways is also for unforeseen repairs for all the buildings.
Bowen stated she would like to see the City use the budget process for some of these projects.
Rand asked what the final cleanout of the middle school looks like and if there is furniture that
will be sold or donated.
Ayles stated there is really not much of anything left except for broken items and rubbish. It
could potentially be written into the RFP for disposal that any salvage value helps offset some of
the costs.
No members of the public wished to speak on the item.
The hearing was closed, and the item was referred back to Committee on Finance and Property.
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Regular City Council Meeting-September 19, 2022
Legal Affairs/Committee of the Whole Meeting-September 27, 2022
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
Order#244-Grant-A$62,575 Municipal Road Safety Program grant from the Executive Office
of Public Safety and Security Office of Grants and Research to be used for traffic enforcement
campaigns
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 2 of 8
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#245-Donation-A $300 donation from the Ward 2 Civic Association to support the Gillis
Park Staircase project
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#246-Order to Amend Reciprocal Easement Agreement with Briscoe Village, LLC as
previously approved by Order#141 of 2021 pertaining to 7 Sohier Road and 20 Colon Street
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Communications from other City Officers and Boards
Order#247-City Clerk-The 2022 Early Voting State Election Schedule
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (9-0).
Order#248-City Clerk-The 2022 Election Warrant for the State Election to be held on
November 8, 2022
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Order#249-City Clerk-Request to raise the price of the Application fee for a Fortune Teller's
License
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#250-Beverly Community Preservation Committee-CPC 1 Oth Funding Round Kick Off
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried(9-0).
Public Hearings (Continued)
7:45 PM-Order#208-An appropriation of$470,775 to be placed in a fund to pay for
engineering and police detail costs associated with the National Grid 115kv electric transmission
cable project
Ayles stated this is primarily a procedural request. This is the mechanism to access the funds
from National Grid that were agreed upon in the memorandum of agreement for the project.
Perry recommended adoption.
Ayles stated this would have a net zero impact on the tax rate because of reimbursements from
National Grid.
No members of the public wished to speak on the item.
The hearing was closed, and the item was referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Communications,from other City Officers and Boards
Order#251-Beverly Community Preservation Committee-Community Preservation Committee
Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed CPA Budget
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 3 of 8
Order#252-Councilor Rotondo-Biannual Beverly Harbor Management Authority report.
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (9-0).
Order#253-City Clerk-Application for a License to sell Christmas Trees for John DiVincenzo
at 294 Elliott Street
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
LATE FILE-Order#259-Councilor Houseman-Special Municipal Employees-Shall be
designated"Special Municipal Employees"
Crowley held the order.
Houseman requested to speak on the item.
Flowers asked for a five minute recess to confirm the process. The motion for a five minute
recess was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0). The meeting
recessed at 7:55pm.
The meeting was called back to order at 8:00pm. Flowers stated that under the charter, if a
councilor holds an item, it will be held until the next meeting, so this will go to the October 17
meeting.
LATE FILE-Order#259A-Councilor Houseman-Special Municipal Employees-Conflict of
Interest disclosures filed with the office of the Mayor.
Crowley held the item. Flowers stated this will go to the October 17 meeting as well.
Communications,Application and Petitions
Order#255-Glovsky-Requesting a Minor Modification Request Briscoe Village Center for
Living and the Arts Special Permit#110-2020.
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#256-Department of Public Utilities-Notice of filing and request for comments. Petition
of Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company each d/b/a National Grid
for Approval of an Alternative Basic Service Procurement Plan.
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded.
Bowen gave a summary of what the City had already submitted for comments. National Grid has
announced significant rate hikes they are expecting for industrial customers. The City's response
was commenting on that increase in cost and requesting that the Department of Public Utilities
look at Beverly's submission for municipal aggregation.
Mayor Michael Cahill also spoke on-the letter that was submitted expressing concerns to the
DPU [Department of Public Utilities]. The application for aggregation was filed in February
2021, and the City requested it be reviewed since it could lead to better rates.
A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Order 257-Department of Utilities-Notice of filing and public hearing for a petition of Boston
Gas Company d/b/a National Grid (gas) for approval of its 2019-2021 Three Year Energy
Efficiency Plan Term Report.
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 4 of 8
carried (9-0).
Order#254-Department of Public Utilities-Notice of filing and Public Hearing. A Petition of
Massachusetts Electric Company and Nantucket Electric Company each d/b/a National Grid for
Approval of its 2019-2021 Three Year Energy Efficiency Plan Term Report.
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (9-0).
A motion to go out of order and take Motions and Orders next was made and seconded. A vote
was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Motions and Orders
Order#238-Sergeant Henebury-"Request to add a Handicapped Parking Sign" at 24 Myrtle
Street and an additional location of 31 Grant Street
Kent read the order.
A motion to go out of order and take Unfinished Business next was made and seconded. A vote
was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Unfinished Business from a Previous Meeting
Order#237-A Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to limit new building projects in the City
of Beverly to three stories
St. Hilaire requested moving forward with some kind of public forum.
Flowers stated a special meeting with a public conversation could be scheduled.
The special meeting was set for Monday, October 24 at 7pm.
A motion for a recess was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
The meeting recessed at 8:1 Opm.
The meeting was called back to order at 8:15pm.
Public Hearings (Continued)
8:15 PM-Order#243-A Grant of location to install plastic gas main on Cabot Street between
Bridge and Federal Street for approximately 500 feet to Chapman Street.
Diana Cuddy from National Grid was present to answer questions on the project.
Rotondo asked if work will be done to make the road smoother since it is only patched now.
Cuddy stated once the project is done the supervisor will walk the job with the city engineer and
discuss final restoration.
Rand asked how much of the project is already completed.
Cuddy stated it has been done from the bridge up to School Street and another northern portion.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 5 of 8
This is to get the connecting piece approved. The project was started before the grant of location.
Every municipality does it differently, and it has come to National Grid's attention that we
should have come before the Council.
Rand asked about the need for this new main.
Cuddy stated this is a reliability main to connect two existing systems and provide better
reliability to serve the east side of the town.
Houseman asked if National Grid would have to come to the City any time before opening a
public way from now on, including for repairs.
Cuddy stated she would have to confirm but under state statute it would be for any new asset. A
leak would be covered under the original grant of location.
Houseman asked the solicitor's office about past practice and the practice going forward.
City Solicitor Stephanie Williams stated that the solicitor's office would not historically be
notified if the engineering department received an application for a permit. It came to our
attention over the last couple of months. We looked into it, and it is our opinion that the
installation of new gas lines does require a grant of location under state law.
Assistant City Solicitor Jesse Dole stated that gas main work occupies a different portion of
Chapter 164 than electrical transmission lines, specifically when it comes to new gas
infrastructure. The statute itself does not require a"grant of location";that term has been adopted
for when a gas company wants to open a street. The language in Chapter 164 is that the gas
i company, when it wishes to open a street,needs written consent of, in this case, the city council.
The only obligation is that they put the streets in as good repair as when they were opened. A lot
I
of people have come to call it a grant of location rather than"written consent"to open a street.
Dole stated there is a significant amount of regulation by DPU. When there is repair or
maintenance work being done,that is all reviewed, permitted, regulated and enforced at the level
of DPU. The legislature has decided that to ensure uniform regulation that DPU will regulate
these things. The SJC has issued opinions on what local municipalities can and cannot do when
gas companies seek written consent to open the street.
Williams stated that Attorney Ray Miyares was consulted on this, and his view is that this is for
the installation of new lines and new assets.
No members of the public wished to speak on the item.
The hearing was closed, and the item was referred to Committee on Public Services.
At 8:37pm,the motion to break for committee was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and
the motion carried (9-0).
The meeting was called back to order at 9:12pm.
Reports from Committees
Finance & Property
Order#024-Councilor Houseman-Letter regarding the Financial Forecast Committee
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 6 of 8
carried(9-0).
Order#208-An appropriation of$470,775 to be placed in a fund to pay for engineering and
police detail costs associated with the National Grid I I5kv electric transmission cable project
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Order#219-Grant-$170,000 from the Mass Electric Vehicle Incentive Program to be used to
acquire four electric vehicle DCFC station(s) at 11 Pond Street
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Order 9220-A transfer of$100,000 to perform the final cleanout of the former Briscoe Middle
School and to perform preliminary engineering work related to the construction of the pickle ball
court at the Birch playing fields
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-1,
Bowen opposed).
Order#223-Donation-A three year private donation of$300,000 in annual increments of
$100,000 to fund a new position of Sustainability Project Manager to support Beverly's main
sustainability programs
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-1,
Rand opposed).
Order#244-Grant-A $62,575 Municipal Road Safety Program grant from the Executive Office
of Public Safety and Security Office of Grants and Research to be used for traffic enforcement
campaigns
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Order#245-Donation-A$300 donation from the Ward 2 Civic Association to support the Gillis
Park Staircase project
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Legal Affairs
Order#249-City Clerk-Request to raise the price of the Application fee for a Fortune Teller's
License
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Order#251-Beverly Community Preservation Committee-Community Preservation Committee
Fiscal Year 2023 Proposed CPA Budget
A motion to set the public hearing for October 17 at 7:45pm was made and seconded. A vote was
taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Order#253-City Clerk-Application for a License to sell Christmas Trees for John DiVincenzo
at 294 Elliott Street
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Public Services
Order#235-Reappointment-Mr. Mark Flagg, 36 Hale Street to serve as a Trustee of the David
Lynch Public Parks Fund
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 7 of 8
Order#236-Reappointment-Mr. Robert Hobbs, 245 Essex Street, Apt 12, to serve on the
Council on Aging
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
Order#243-National Grid-grant of location to install plastic gas main on Cabot Street between
Bridge Street and Federal Street
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (9-0).
Flowers stated the next regular meeting will be October 17 and there will be a special meeting on
October 24 to hear from the public on Councilor St. Hilaire's proposed zoning amendment.
Rotondo stated that there will be a MassDOT meeting about the Hall-Whitaker Bridge on
October 11 at 6:30pm at Beverly High School.
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(9-0).
The meeting adjourned at 9:21pm.
i
g§
E
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—October 3,2022 page 8 of 8
Scott D. Houseman-Chair
Julie R. Flowers
Matthew J. St.Hilaire
FINANCE AND PROPERTY/CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Monday, October 3, 2022, 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 3"Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Houseman called to order the Finance and Property meeting at 8:38pm.
Members present: Julie Flowers, Matthew St. Hilaire, Scott Houseman
Members Absent: None
Order Date to Number Committee Description Action Taken
#024 1/18/2022 Councilor Houseman-Letter regarding the Financial Receive and place on
Forecast Committee file 3-0
Grant-$170,000 from the Mass Electric Vehicle Incentive
#219 9/12/2022 Program to be used to acquire four electric vehicle DCFC Approve 3-0
stations at 11 Pond Street
Donation-A three year private donation of$300,000 in
annual increments of$100 000 to fund a new position of
#223 9/12/2022 Approve 3-0
Sustainability Project Manager to support Beverly's main
sustainability programs
An appropriation of$470,775 to be placed in a fund to
pay for engineering and police detail costs associated
#208 10/3/2022 with the National Grid I I5kv electric transmission cable Approve 3-0
project
A transfer of$100,000 to perform the final cleanout of
#220 10/3/2022
the former Briscoe Middle School and to perform
preliminary engineering work related to the construction Approve 3-0
of the pickle ball court at the Birch playing Fields
A$62,575 Municipal Road Safety Program grant from
#244 10/3/2022 the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Office Approve 3-0
of Grants and Research to be used for traffic enforcement
campaigns
Donation-A $300 donation from the Ward 2 Civic
#245 10/3/2022 Association to support the Gillis Park Staircase project Approve 3-0
The motion to adjourn the Finance and Property meeting was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the
motion carried(3-0). The meeting adjourned at 9:02pm.
Estelle M. Rand-Chair
Todd C. Rotondo
Brendan S. Sweeney
LEGAL AFFAIRS /CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Monday, October 3, 2022
7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Rand called the meeting to order at 8:38 PM.
Members present: Rand, Rotondo, Sweeney
Also present: Solicitor Stephanie Williams, Attorney Miranda Siemasko from Glovsky, and Andrew DeFranza.
Councilor Bowen arrived at 8:45 PM.
Order Date to Number Committee Description Action Taken
An Order to Amend Reciprocal Easement Agreement
with Briscoe Village, LLC as Previously Approved by
#246 10/3/2022 Order#141 of 2021,pertaining to 7 Sohier Road and Hold
20 Colon Street
A request from the City Clerk for the City Council to
#249 10/3/2022 approve to raise the price of the Application for a Approve 3-0
Fortune Teller's License from $2.00 to $50.00
#251 10/3/2022 Community Preservation Committee Fiscal Year 2023 Public hearing set for
proposed CPA Budget 10/17/22 at 7:45 PM
9253 10/3/2022 Application for a license to sell Christmas Trees for Approve 3-0
John DiVincenzo at 294 Elliott Street
#255 10/3/2022 Special Permit#110-2020-Minor modifications. Hold
Request Briscoe Village Center for Living and Arts
Order#246-There was a discussion with the committee and Attorney Siemasko regarding the costs as materials
are more expensive. Sweeney also voiced that concern. Siemasko replied that the project should close on
November 17th of this year, so the costs of construction and materials should remain the same. Rotondo would
like to talk to Commissioner Collins before voting. Order held for further discussion after talking with the
commissioner. All committee members agreed they will continue the conversation at the October 17th meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM
Kathleen M. Feldman-Chair
Hannah L. Bowen
Steven M. Crowley
PUBLIC SERVICES /CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Monday, October 3, 2022
7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Feldman called the meeting to order at 8:38 PM.
Members present: Bowen, Crowley, Feldman
National Grid representative Diana Cuddy was also present.
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
Councilor Rotondo-Consideration of naming the
#104 4/4/2022 Harbor Master Building in honor of Harbormaster Hold
Daniel McPherson
Reappointment-Mr. Mark Flagg, 36 Hale Street to
#235 9/19/2022 serve as a Trustee of the David Lynch Public Parks` Approve 3-0
Fund
Reappointment-Mr. Robert Hobbs, 245 Essex Street,
#236 9/19/2022 Apt 12,to serve on the Council on Aging Approve 3-0
National Grid-grant of location to install plastic gas
#243 10/3/2022 main on Cabot Street between Bridge Street and Approve 3-0
Federal Street
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.