20240416 City Council Meeting Minutes CITY OF BEVERLY
City of Beverly RECEIVED AND RECORIDEQ
Regular City Council Meeting CITY CLERKS OFFIC`
Public Meeting Minutes 20 RAY - I P 3, 4b
Tuesday,April 16, 2024, 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, Steven Crowley, Kathleen Feldman, Scott Houseman, Todd
Rotondo, Danielle Spang, Matthew St. Hilaire, Julie Flowers
Members Absent: Brendan Sweeney
St. Hilaire led the pledge of allegiance.
Presentations, Awards and Memorials
Beverly Bootstraps Executive Director Sue Gabriel gave a presentation on some of the services
and resources that are provided by Beverly Bootstraps.
Comments by Citizens
Bob Mason, 30 Folly Pond Road, spoke in response to what is going on in Gaza.
Public Hearings
Order#104-7:30 PM-National Grid-A petition WO#9000022943 to install approximately 40
feet of new 12" gas main at 46 River Street
The public hearing was opened.
Kent read the order.
Diana Cuddy from National Grid was available for questions from the Council.
There was some discussion about the specifics of the location and traffic management.
No members of the public wished to speak on the item.
The public hearing was closed, and the item was referred to Committee on Public Services.
Comments by Citizens
Theresa Mason, 30 Folly Pond Road, spoke in support of a resolution regarding the situation in
Gaza.
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Regular City Council Meeting-February 5, 2024
Legal Affairs Committee Meeting-February 12, 2024
Public Services Committee Meeting-February 12, 2024
Regular City Council Meeting-February 20, 2024
Legal Affairs Committee Meeting-March 25, 2024
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
Order 4117-Donation-$10,000 from One Stop Harm Reduction Program via the North Shore
Health Project to be used by the Beverly Police Department's Community Impact Unit to address
substance abuse reduction
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#118-Donation-An automated external defibrillator to the Beverly Fire Department from
Beverly resident David Allen
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#119-A transfer request of$750,000 to fund installation of stands and lighting for the
high school turf field
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#120-A fund balance transfer request of$1,100,000 from the Water Enterprise Fund to
cover project costs associated with the water main work planned for Hale Street
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#121-A proposed amendment to Chapter 270 of the City Ordinances relative to parking
regulations on L.P. Henderson Road,near Birch Plains Park
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Communications from other City Officers and Boards
Order#122-Dr. Charochak, Superintendent of Schools-Request to enter lease/purchase
transaction with Apple for student laptops for the 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative at Beverly High School
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#123-Chief LeLacheur-A donation of$10,734.57 in office supplies to help with IT needs
to the Beverly Police Department from Guaranty Home Mortgage
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#124-Finance Director, Bryant Ayles-Request for approval to use FY2024 appropriated
funds toward the payment of two prior year invoices totaling$8,125
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Order#125-City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Vending permit for Anwar
Katabeh
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#126-City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Vending permit for Steven
Wright
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#127-City Clerk-Renewal application for a Pawnbrokers license for Nyan Group, d/b/a
Cash Point
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#128-City Clerk-Second Hand Junk Dealer license renewals for 2024
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes April 16,2024 page 2 of 6
Order#129-City Clerk-Petroleum Storage Registrations renewals for 2024
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#130-Councilor Rotondo-A request to make an amendment to Ordinance Section 270-66
Downtown Beverly Parking District
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Order#131-President Flowers-Reappointment for Lisa Kent to serve as City Clerk and Clerk of
Council
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#132-President Flowers-A recommendation salary increase for the City Clerk for FY2025
Referred to Committee on Finance and Property.
Communications,Application and Petitions
Order#133-Department of Environmental Protection-Draft Waterways License-Endicott
College shoreline stabilization Project Phase II
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8-0).
Order#134-Department of Environmental Protection-Waterways application Waterways
License Chapter 91 Waterways License-163 and 167 West Street
A motion to receive and place on file was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried(8-0).
Order#135-National Grid-Petition Plan#30600267-Goat Hill Lane to install 105' +/- of 2-4
PVC conduits
Referred to Committee on Public Services.
A motion to break for committee work was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the
motion carried(8-0). The meeting recessed at 8:00pm. The meeting was called back to order at
8:22pm.
Reports of Committees
Finance and Property
Order#111-Councilor Sweeney-A proposal that the City Council adopt the local option
exemption allowed under MGL c. 59 s. 5C%2 and set the increased exemption at 100 percent of
the personal exemption offered under MGL c. 59 s. 5
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#1 17-Donation-$1 0,000 from One Stop Harm Reduction Program via the North Shore
Health Project to be used by the Beverly Police Department's Community Impact Unit to address
substance abuse reduction
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(7-0,
Houseman absent for vote).
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—April 16,2024 page 3 of 6
Order#118-Donation-An automated external defibrillator to the Beverly Fire Department from
Beverly resident David Allen
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Order#119-A transfer request of$750,000 to fund installation of stands and lighting for the
high school turf field
A motion to set the public hearing for May 6 at 8:00pm was made and seconded. A vote was
taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#120-A fund balance transfer request of$1,100,000 from the Water Enterprise Fund to
cover project costs associated with the water main work planned for Hale Street
A motion to set the public hearing for May 6 at 8:30pm was made and seconded.'A vote was
taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#122-Dr. Charochak, Superintendent of Schools-Request to enter lease/purchase
transaction with Apple for student laptops for the 1 to 1 Laptop Initiative at Beverly High School
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#123-Chief LeLacheur-A donation of$10,734.57 in office supplies to help with IT needs
to the Beverly Police Department from Guaranty Home Mortgage
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Order#124-Finance Director, Bryant Ayles-Request for approval to use FY2024 appropriated
funds toward the payment of two prior year invoices totaling $8,125
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Order#132-President Flowers-A recommendation salary increase for the City Clerk for FY2025
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Legal Affairs
Order#064-City Clerk-A Livery License renewal application for BAT Enterprises, LLC located
at 19 Beckford Street
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#109-Appointment and a waiver of residency requirement-Thomas Holland, 12 Eddel
Avenue, Wenham to serve on the Economic and Community Development Council
A motion to approve the waiver of residency was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the
motion carried(8-0).
A motion to approve the appointment was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8-0).
Order#110-City Clerk-Application for a license to move an Essex River Church Bible box to a
new location
Houseman stated the Council has voted and will vote again tonight on a new sign permitting
process through the planning department. This particular application should be subject to the
new,presumably soon to be adopted, sign permitting or sidewalk permitting process.
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion failed (0-8).
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes April 16,2024 page 4 of 6
Order#125-City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Vending permit for Anwar
Katabeh
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#126-City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Vending permit for Steven
Wright
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#127-City Clerk-Renewal application for a Pawnbrokers license for Nyan Group, d/b/a
Cash Point
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#128-City Clerk-Second Hand Junk Dealer license renewals for 2024
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#129-City Clerk-Petroleum Storage Registrations renewals for 2024
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Public Services
Order#104-7:30 PM-National Grid-A petition WO#9000022943 to install approximately 40
feet of new 12" gas main at 46 River Street
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#107-Appointment Robin Lauranzano Gillette to serve on the Beverly Airport
Commission
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
Order#108-Appointment-Peggy S. Conlon to serve on the Beverly Cultural Council
A motion to approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Order#135-National Grid-Petition Plan#30600267-Goat Hill Lane to install 105' +/- of 2-4
PVC conduits
A motion to set the public hearing for May 20 at 7:45pm was made and seconded. A vote was
taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Unfinished Business from a Previous Meeting
Order#046-Order Proposing Amendments to City Ordinances, Chapters 1,7,
15,26,33,58,69,105,113,124,136,155,192,210,215,227,232,249,253,274,282 striking or
amending provisions to: modernize and clarify language; remove obsolete language; correct
typos; recognize use of technology; ensure gender neutrality; achieve consistency with city
charter provisions and state law or policy; and address constitutionality concerns
Flowers stated a presentation will be coming on this at the May 6 meeting.
Motions and Orders
Order#067-Planning Director, Darlene Wynne-Proposed Amendments to the City of Beverly
Ordinances Section 113-2 Possession or consumption on public ways, in public places or on
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—April 16,2024 page 5 of 6
private property; Section 192-61 Sandwich board signs; Section 253-24 Signs, awnings and
displays; Section 253-35 Public meetings in streets; temporary stands for selling goods
A motion to approve the final passage of the ordinance amendments was made and seconded. A
vote was taken, and the motion carried(8-0).
Houseman stated he would like to make a statement regarding the library vote.
Williams stated open meeting law allows at the discretion of the chair, the president in this case,
that if it is not reasonably anticipated at least 48 hours before the meeting, a statement can be
made. Williams advised that it is a low-risk situation, especially since it is going to be a
statement and there is no deliberation.
Houseman stated the outcome of the library vote was really largely due to a failure of the
administration to have in place effective protocols for capital expenditure project management in
its relationships with the Council,perhaps even internally. Since 2011 when Beverly was one of
the first in the Commonwealth to become a Green Community,the Council has often
unanimously supported the administration's clean energy leadership. The Council can and will do
so again if Mayor Cahill delivers on his commitment he made at the last meeting to provide
progress reports to the Council on capital expenditure projects in an orderly, effective and
regular manner. Houseman elaborated on the condition he had introduced to the Council before
about a report every three months that sets forth benchmarks going forward for the coming three
months and that sees if those benchmarks from three months before were met. Houseman said it
is something the administration needs to provide. Houseman said, agree or not with the outcome
of the library vote,the Council did its job last week. Houseman stated he is proud of the Council
as an institution for insisting upon both transparency and accountability from the administration.
We can work and collaborate together, but that is a two-way street. As Councilor Bowen
observed at the last meeting,there were a lot of decision trees that came and went that the
Council was not involved in. If the Council had been involved in them,the outcome of that
library vote may well have been different because the decisions made along the way might have
been different. Houseman stated he is looking forward to Mayor Cahill delivering on his
commitment,hopefully before any more votes on capital expenditure projects come before the
Council.
A motion to adjourn was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion carried (8-0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:53pm.
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes—April 16,2024 page 6 of 6
Matthew J. St. Hilaire-Chair
Julie R. Flowers
Brendan S. Sweeney
Finance and Property/City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,April 16,2024, 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Committee Room,Yd Floor, Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
St. Hilaire called the meeting to order at 8:00pm.
Members present: Julie Flowers, Matthew St. Hilaire
Members absent: Brendan Sweeney
Order Date to Number Committee Description Action Taken
Earmark-A$200,000 earmark from the Massachusetts
Marketing Partnership within the Executive Office of Labor
#077 3/11/2024 and Workforce Development to be used for HVAC Hold
improvements and weatherization for the Beverly Public
Library
Earmark-A$100,000 earmark from the Massachusetts
Marketing Partnership within the Executive Office of Labor
#078 3/11/2024 and Workforce Development to be used for HVAC Hold
improvements and weatherization for the Beverly Public
Library
Earmark-A $1,000,000 earmark from the United States
#079 3/11/2024 Department of Housing and Urban Development to support the Hold
main library HVAC system replacement and weatherization
A transfer of$1,000,902.89 from the city's debt stabilization
#092, 4/1/2024 fund to be placed into the City's Library Improvement capital Hold
fund
A transfer of$2,045,000 from the city's certified free cash
balance to be placed into the City's Library Improvement
#094 4/1/2024 capital fund. These funds will be used to partially offset the Hold
requested loan order(Order#017) for the building and system
improvement work for the main branch library
#116 4/8/2024 2024 Capital Expenditure Plan pursuant to the City Charter Hold
Donation-$10,000 from One Stop Harm Reduction Program
via the North Shore Health Project to be used by the Beverly Recommended
#117 4/16/2024 police Department's Community Impact Unit to address the Council
substance abuse reduction approve (3-0)
Donation-An automated external defibrillator to the Beverly Recommended
#118 4/16/2024 Fire Department from Beverly resident David Allen the Council
approve 3-0
Recommend the
A transfer request of$750,000 to fund installation of stands Council set a
#119 4/16/2024 and lighting for the high school turf field public hearing
for May 6 at
8:00 m 3-0
Order Date to Number Committee Description Action Taken
Recommend the
A fund balance transfer request of$1,100,000 from the Water Council set a
#120 4/16/2024 Enterprise Fund to cover project costs associated with the public hearing
water main work planned for Hale Street for May 6 at
8:30 m 3-0
Chief LeLacheur-A donation of$10,734.57 in office supplies Recommended
#123 4/16/2024 to help with IT needs to the Beverly Police Department from the Council
Guaranty Home Mortgage approve (3-0)
Finance Director, Bryant Ayles-Request for approval to use Recommended
#124 4/16/2024 FY2024 appropriated funds toward the payment of two prior the Council
year invoices totaling$8,125 approve (3-0)
President Flowers-A recommendation salary increase for the Recommended
#132 4/16/2024 City Clerk for FY2025 the Council
approve 3-0
The meeting adjourned at 8:1Opm.
Beverly City Council Committee on Finance and Property Meeting Minutes April 16,2024page 2 of 2
Scott D. Houseman-Chair
Todd C. Rotondo
Kathleen M. Feldman
Legal Affairs /City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers, 3rd Floor,Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
The meeting was called to order at 8:01pm.
Members present: Todd Rotondo, Kathleen Feldman, Scott Houseman
Also present: City Solicitor Stephanie Williams, Assistant City Solicitor Jesse Dole and Chief of Staff Joscelyn
Ruelle-Kersker
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
#034 1/16/2024 Councilor Houseman-A letter regarding the Subcommittee Hold
on Legal Affairs initiatives in the new term
City Clerk-A Livery License renewal application for BAT Recommend
#064 2/20/2024 Enterprises, LLC located at 19 Beckford Street the Council
approve 3-0
City Clerk-A Livery License-A new Livery License
#065 3/18/2024 application for Alba Boston Limo, LLC located at 285 Hold
Cabot Street
Proposed Amendments to City Ordinance Section 15-37
#101 3/18/2024 Human Rights Committee; Amendments to Modify Hold
Committee Member Qualifications
Appointment and a waiver of residency requirement- Recommend
#109 4/l/2024 Thomas Holland, 12 Eddel Avenue, Wenham to serve on the Council
the Economic and Community Development Council approve (3-0)
Recommend
#110 4/l/2024 City Clerk-Application for a license to move an Essex the Council
River Church Bible box to a new location approve (0-3,
motion failed
A proposed amendment to Chapter 270 of the City
#121 4/16/2024 Ordinances relative to parking regulations on L.P. Hold
Henderson Road, near Birch Plains Park
City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Recommend
#125 4/16/2024 Vending permit for Anwar Katabeh the Council
approve 3-0
City Clerk-Renewal application for an Ice Cream Truck Recommend
#126 4/16/2024 Vending permit for Steven Wright the Council
a rove 3-0
City Clerk-Renewal application for a Pawnbrokers license Recommend
#127 4/16/2024 for Nyan Group, d/b/a Cash Point the Council
approve 3-0
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
City Clerk-Second Hand Junk Dealer license renewals for Recommend
#128 4/16/2024 2024 the Council
approve (3-0)
City Clerk-Petroleum Storage Registrations renewals for Recommend
4129 4/16/2024 2024 the Council
approve (3-0)
Councilor Rotondo-A request to make an amendment to
#130 4/16/2024 Ordinance Section 270-66 Downtown Beverly Parking Hold
District
Discussion on Order #110
There was some discussion on the pending changes to the process for placing items on public sidewalks (Order
4067 on the City Council agenda).
Houseman stated he would vote to deny this because it should be subject to the new requirements of the
ordinance that is in the process of being updated.
A motion to recommend the City Council approve was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and the motion
failed(0-3). Approval of Order#110 was not recommended.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20pm.
Beverly City Council Committee on Legal Affairs Meeting Minutes April 16,2024 page 2 of 2
Hannah L. Bowen-Chair
Steven M. Crowley
Danielle M. Spang
Public Services /City Council Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,April 16, 2024, 7:OOPM
Within the Confines of the City Council Meeting
City Council Chambers,3rd Floor,Beverly City Hall, 191 Cabot St.
Bowen called the meeting to order at 8:01pm.
Members present: Steven Crowley, Danielle Spang, Hannah Bowen
Order Date to Description Action Taken
Number Committee
National Grid-A petition WO#9000022943 to install
#104 4/16/2024 approximately 40 feet of new 12" gas main at 46 Recommend the
Council approve (3-0)
River Street
#105 4/l/2024 National Grid-Plan#30665817-to install 1 JO pole Hold
on Lothrop Street
#107 4/1/2024 Appointment Robin Lauranzano Gillette to serve on Recommend the
the Beverly Airport Commission Council approve 3-0
#108 4/1/2024 Appointment-Peggy S. Conlon to serve on the Recommend the
BeverlyCultural Council Council approve 3-0
National Grid-Petition Plan#30600267-Goat Hill Recommend the
#135 4/16/2024 Lane to install 105' +/- of 2-4 PVC conduits (set a Council set a public
public hearing) hearing for May 20 at
7:45 m 3-0
Meeting adjourned at 8:12pm.