20230103 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes City of Beverly
Regular City Council Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes
Monday,January 3,2023,7:00pm
City Council Chambers, 191 Cabot St. `
Julie Flowers, City Council President, called the meeting to order at 7:00pm. City Clerk, Lisa
Kent,took attendance by roll call.
Members Present: Hannah Bowen, Kathleen Feldman, Scott Houseman, Todd Rotondo,Matthew
St. Hilaire,Estelle Rand,Brendan Sweeney, Julie Flowers
Members Absent: Steven Crowley
Rand led the pledge of allegiance.
Comments by Citizens
Dean Berg of Green Beverly summarized a report that was released recently, called the
Massachusetts Climate Change Assessment,which is available online through mass.gov.
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Regular City Council Meeting December 5, 2022
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Regular City Council Meeting December 20,2022
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(7-0,
Rand abstained).
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
Order#001-Grant-$24,995 FY23 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant from the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for an Accountability Board and a Passport
Accountability tag for each fire department member and for seven sets of turnout gear
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#002-Reappointment-Stephanie Williams to serve as City Solicitor
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#003-Reappointment-Bryant Ayles to serve as Director of Municipal Finance/Treasurer
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#004-Reappointments-Joanne Panuzio, 31 Old Planters Road and Colleen Michaels, 18
Madison Avenue to serve as Trustees of the Beverly Public Library
Referred to Committee on Public Services.
Order#005-Appointment-Sheryl R. Silva,M.D., 95 Hale Street,to serve on the Beverly Board
of Health
Referred to Committee on Public Services.
Communications from other City Officers and Boards
Order#006-City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Garden City Residences,
490 Rantoul Street
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#007-City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Grigor Qirjazi, 32
Broadway
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Communications,Application and Petitions
Order#008-Danvers Town Manager, Steve Bartha-Intent to waive payment in lieu of tax fee
assessed to the City of Beverly for Fiscal Year 2022 ($6,736.92) in conjunction with the
operations of the Beverly airport
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried(8-0).
Order#009-Notice of availability of response to comments Phase II summary Former Varian
Facility Site, 150 Sohier Road
Referred to Committee on Public Services.
Order#010-Department of Public Utilities-Notice of Filing and request for comments
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8-0).
A motion to break for committee work was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the
motion carried(8-0). The meeting was recessed at 7:14pm.
The meeting was called back to order at 7:51pm.
Reports of Committees
Finance and Property
Order#267-President Flowers-A request to delegate to the Council President the power to do an
annual review and evaluation of the City Clerk
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#001-Grant-$24,995 FY23 Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant from the Massachusetts
Executive Office of Public Safety and Security for an Accountability Board and a Passport
Accountability tag for each fire department member and for seven sets of turnout gear
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Public Services
Order#009-Notice of availability of response to comments Phase II summary Former Varian
Facility Site, 150 Sohier Road
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8-0).
Beverly City Council Nteeting Minutes—January 3,2023 page 2 of 3
Legal Affairs
Order#006-City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Garden City Residences,
490 Rantoul Street
Rotondo stated for clarification that there are still some follow up questions for the Board of
Health. We don't want them to be non-compliant or to put anyone out in the cold, but we also
want to make sure that all our questions are fully answered.
A motion to temporarily extend the license until February 21 and to refer back to the Committee
on Legal Affairs until then was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-
0).
Order#007-City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Grigor Qirjazi, 32
Broadway
A motion to temporarily extend a license until January 17 and to refer back to the Committee on
Legal Affairs until then was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Rand and Feldman shared information on upcoming committee meetings on January 9 and
January 30.
Public Hearin
Order#287-8:00 PM-National Grid-Petition to install approximately 8,050 feet of 12 inch, 60
psig plastic gas main on Hale Street, extending from the existing stub near Cabot Street to the
regulator station at Boyles Street(Public hearing continued from December 5, 2022 and
December 20, 2022 meetings)
The public hearing was opened.
No members of the public were present to speak.
Flowers stated more information will be coming from National Grid and the City's Engineering
Department.
The motion to recess the public hearing to January 17 at 7:45pm was made and seconded. A vote
was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Unfinished Business from a Previous Meeting
Order#237-Councilor St. Hilaire-A Proposed zoning ordinance amendment to limit new
building projects in the City of Beverly to three stories (Continued from October 24th Special
Meeting)
This item will continue to be held while the other zoning amendments are being reviewed.
Rotondo thanked all the agencies and individuals who helped the residents that were affected by
the Folly Hill fire.
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:05pm.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—Janumy 3,2023 page 3 of 3
Scott D. Houseman-Chair
Julie R. Flowers
Matthew J. St. Hilaire
FINANCE AND PROPERTY/CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 311 Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Houseman called the meeting to order at 7:19pm.
Members present: Julie Flowers, Matthew St. Hilaire, Scott Houseman
Members absent: None
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
President Flowers-A request to delegate to the Council
#267 10/17/2022 President the power to do an annual review and Approve 3-0
evaluation of the City Clerk
Earmark from the Economic Development Legislation
#315 12/20/2022 signed by Governor Baker$200,000 for the installation Hold
of solar panels at Beverly High School
Grant-$24,995 FY23 Firefighter Safety Equipment
Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of
#001 1/3/2023 Public Safety and Security for an Accountability Board Approve 3-0
and a Passport Accountability tag for each fire
department member and for seven sets of turnout gear
The meeting adjourned at 7:34pm.
Estelle M. Rand-Chair
Todd C. Rotondo
Brendan S. Sweeney
LEGAL AFFAIRS /CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING MINUTES
Tuesday, January 3, 2023, 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 7:19pm.
Members present: Todd Rotondo, Brendan Sweeney, Estelle Rand
Members absent: None
Order Date to Number Committee Description Action Taken
Mayor's response to Order 75A proposed amendments to
#276 11/14/2022 1995 Beverly Home Rule Charter Hold
Solicitor Williams-Regarding Order#276 Mayor's Edits
#276A 12/20/2022 Incorporated into Draft Charter Approved by the City Hold
Council Order#75A
Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendment of various
#279 12/5/20222 articles related to building heights and inclusionary zoning Hold
Councilor Houseman-Regarding Order#279, Proposed
#279A 12/20/2022 Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance Hold
Councilor Bowen-A letter regarding Accessory Dwelling
#282 11/14/2022 Units Hold
City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Approve to temporarily
#006 1/3/2023 Garden City Residences, 490 Rantoul Street extend the license until
February 21 3-0
City Clerk-Renewal Application for a lodging license for Approve a temporary
#007 1/3/2023 Grigor Qirjazi, 32 Broadway license until January 17
3-0
Discussion on Order#006
Rotondo stated this license was meant to be temporary. Extending the license until January 15 kept them in
compliance and allowed time to follow up with the Board of Health and Police. Rotondo stated he has been able
to talk to those offices and still have some concerns but doesn't want to make anyone homeless. The goal is for
the owner to be able to come into compliance. Rotondo stated he is aware some things cannot be done
immediately and asked the Committee to consider extending the temporary license out for another 30 days or 60
days.
Rotondo stated the Committee would not be looking to have them reapply for a new license but to extend the
current license and current application.
Jesse Dole, Assistant City Solicitor, stated for the record that this is a continued consideration of the original
application that was received September 2022. The committee would have the authority to continue
consideration of the application and either extend the temporary license or grant a successor temporary license
until whatever date they would like.
Rand asked if the Committee voted to extend this temporary license until the end of February,then at that time
could the Committee take a vote to approve the 2023 license.
Dole stated that the Committee could do that.
Rotondo suggested extending the current temporary license to February 21 since there is a Council meeting that
night.
George Skalkos, who co-owns Garden City Residences with his brother, spoke of his frustration with the
inspections process.
Committee of the Whole was called to order at 7:37pm.
Rotondo moved to extend the temporary license from January 15 to February 21. The motion was seconded. A
vote was taken, and the motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Discussion on Order#007
Sweeney asked if approving this application would still mean that these violations need to be remedied and
approved by the Health Department before any long-term license was issued.
Dole stated it is up to your discretion whether to grant this license based on what is before you. If you have
concerns that you don't think it is appropriate to grant the license at this time based on those inspection reports,
you do have the authority to not take a final action or grant a temporary license to allow for some remediation
and re-inspection. Dole stated he had no idea what the nature of the violations is with this particular inspection,
so he could not speak to what is appropriate.
The motion to issue a temporary license for this current application until January 17 was made and seconded. A
vote was taken, and the motion was approved unanimously (3-0).
Dole stated according to the City's ordinances dealing with lodging houses, for the renewal process, all.
inspections are supposed to be completed and reports provided to the Clerk's Office recommending either to
grant or deny the application by December 7. It may have been the process in the past that the license be issued
pending or contingent on inspections,that is not what the ordinances requires. The ordinances requires that the
inspection be completed and recommended that they be approved or denied prior to December 7. You do have
the authority to grant a temporary license, but for the purposes of issuing the full license, there is no authority to
do that absent inspection reports recommending the issuance of the license.
The motion to adjourn Committee of the Whole was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion was
approved unanimously.
The motion to adjourn Committee on Legal Affairs was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
was approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:47pm.
Beverly City Council Connnittee on Legal Affairs Meeting Minutes—January 3,2023 page 2 of 2
Kathleen M. Feldman-Chair
Hannah L. Bowen
Steven M. Crowley
PUBLIC SERVICES/CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MINUTES
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 311 Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Feldman called the meeting to order at 7:15pm.
Members present: Hannah Bowen, Kathleen Feldman
Members absent: Steven Crowley
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
Appointment for Mr. Jason Reulet, 106 Standley
#316 12/20/2022 Street,to serve on the Beverly Airport Commission Hold
#317 12/20/2022 Appointment for Ms. Rachel E. Morse, 14 Pond View Hold
Lane,to serve on the Beverly Board of Health
Appointments for Chelsea Turner, 7 Jackson Street;
Amanda Lennon, 7 Columbus Avenue; and Michael
#318 12/20/2022 Gove, 9 Bartlett Street,to serve on the Beverly Hold
Cultural Committee
Councilor Bowen-Regarding Beverly Regional
#326 12/20/2022 Airport Hold
#327 12/20/2022 Councilor Bowen-Regarding City Parks Hold
#328 12/20/2022 Councilor Bowen-Regarding Storm Water Hold
Management
Notice of Availability Public Comment Draft Phase
#331 12/20/2022 III Remedial Action Plan-Former Varian Facility Hold
Site, 150 Sohier Road
Reappointments-Joanne Panuzio, 31 Old Planters
#004 1/3/2023 Road and Colleen Michaels, 18 Madison Avenue to Hold
serve as Trustees of the Beverly Public Library
Appointment-Sheryl R. Silva, M.D., 95 Hale Street,to
#005 1/3/2023 serve on the Beverly Board of Health Hold
Notice of availability of response to comments Phase
#009 1/3/2023 II summary Former Varian Facility Site, 150 Sohier Receive and place
on file (2-0)
Road
The meeting adjourned at 7:34pm.