City Council Minutes 11-09-2020City of Beverly
City Council Meeting
Public Meeting Minutes
Monday, November 9, 2020
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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 7:00pm over Google Meet.
City Clerk, Lisa Kent, took the attendance by roll call.
Members Present: Kathleen Feldman, Timothy Flaherty, Julie Flowers, John Frates, Scott
Houseman, Estelle Rand, Paul Guanci, Todd Rotondo
Members Absent: Stacy Ames
Houseman led the councilors in the pledge of allegiance.
A moment of silence was observed for Sean Connolly, a retired police officer who passed away
recently.
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
(8 -0).
Mayor Michael Cahill introduced the new Sustainability Director, Erina Keefe, and thanked the
anonymous donor who paid for a significant amount of the position. Ms. Keefe spoke on a few
of the projects they are working on.
Resolutions
Order #234 -Front Line Service Workers
Feldman and Rotondo read the resolution to thank frontline workers.
Flowers motioned to approve. Rand seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried
(8 -0).
Comments by Citizens
MaryAnn Holak, Director, Council on Aging and Senior Care gave an update on some of the
senior center programs during the pandemic. She introduced Linnea Hagberg from Senior Care
who also gave an update and a special recognition award to MaryAnn Holak and the Beverly
Council on Aging from the Senior Care Board. MaryAnn Holak expressed her gratefulness for
Beverly City Council Meeting Minutes — November 9, 2020, page 1 of 4
the partnership with Senior Care and talked about the holiday donation program. Donations can
be dropped off at the senior center.
Order # 233 -David Alden -St. Pierre, Open Space & Recreation Committee Report
David Alden -St. Pierre, the Ward 5 representative on the Open Space & Recreation Committee,
highlighted some projects like wayfinding improvements on trails, work on a trail on Green's
Hill, protection of 35 acres of open space, and maintenance and stewardship projects. Some
events could not take place because of Covid -19. There has been an increase in trail usage which
is good, but also has led to more litter and misuse, so they have been working on that. There has
been a focus on outreach, primarily through social media. He discussed board membership.
Guanci thanked him for the committee's work.
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meetings: September 30, 2020
Houseman moved to approve. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Communications from His Honor the Mayor
Order 9226 - Grant - $45,000 Grant from the Baker - Polito Administration through Planning
Assistance Grant Program to be used to explore diversifying housing choices in Beverly.
Catherine Barrett, Director of Grants, spoke on the grant.
Rand asked what the funding would go towards.
Barrett said it pays for a consulting firm to conduct a study for Beverly and compare with other
communities with accessory dwelling units.
Cahill mentioned a housing needs analysis and production plan from a few years ago. He stated
there were 18 -19 recommendations that came from it, and one of them was to consider accessory
dwelling units.
Rand asked if there is a time in the study for public comment or input.
Barrett said she would check with the Planning Director, Darlene Wynne.
Houseman moved to approve. Rand seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried
(8 -0).
Order #225 - Grant - $33,000 from the Recycling Dividends Program. This grant will allow the
city to continue eco- friendly policies for recycling.
Houseman asked what kind of resources would be supported by this grant.
Ms. Barrett said this is an annual grant and recognized Kerin Cotter's work on this.
Mayor Cahill spoke to the item, stating that there are indications that recycling markets are
rebounding and discussed with Feldman and Rand some ways the City incentivizes recycling.
Houseman moved to approve. Feldman seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order #227 - Reappointment -Ms. Nancy Cicci, 15 Kennedy Drive to serve as Constable.
Referred to Committee on Legal Affairs.
Guanci stepped down and had Rand chair the meeting for the next item since it referred to his
business.
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Order 9228 - Donation -$500 donation of twenty five gift cards from a private citizen to Mike's
Pizza and Super Sub for veterans in the community and donation of Iron Tree crane service for
veterans' grave restoration office, estimated at $1,50042,000.
Houseman moved to approve. Rotondo seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (7 -0, Guanci recused himself)
Guanci returned to his seat as chair of the meeting.
Order 9229 - Request approval for the City's first DC fast charging station installation project.
Rotondo asked if the four spaces that would be leased would be restricted to only EV and how
the fees would work.
Cahill said they would be limited to EV only, and the spots would still be charged by the City for
parking as well as for the EV charging fees.
Housman asked what the term of the lease would be and what the financial structure would be.
Flowers asked how the spots would be promoted.
Barrett stated that the spots will look different and have signage, and also there will be an app
that directs EV users to these spots.
Houseman moved to approve. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0).
Order 9230 - Appointments -Mr. Kyle Sweeney and Mr. Bryan Whitehead to serve on the Cable
TV Advisory Board.
Referred to Committee on Public Services.
LATE FILE -Order #235- Donation - $5,000 from Beverly Resident, Peter Coleman to benefit the
Senior Center.
Houseman motioned to accept the late file. Rotondo seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the
motion carried (7 -0, Frates' connection to the virtual meeting cut out).
MaryAnn Holak spoke of her appreciation for the donation in her honor.
Flowers moved to approve. Feldman seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried
(7 -0, Frates' connection to the virtual meeting cut out).
LATE FILE -Order #236 - Amendment of an ordinance 69 -4 Vacations.
Houseman motion to accept the late file. Rand seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the
motion carried (8 -0).
Cahill stated that Govenor Baker recently extended time for state employees to be used by the
end of April 2021 and the City is trying to do that too.
Houseman commended the administration for taking this action.
Houseman moved to approve.
Flowers seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Communications, from other City Officers and Boards
Order #231 -Chief Assessor, Peter Caron - Request to set up a public hearing relative to the
allocation of Fiscal Year 2021 tax levy percentages
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Houseman moved to set the public hearing for Monday, November 23, at 7:30pm. Feldman
seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Communications, Applications, and Petitions
Order #232 - Petition - National Grid Plan # 29408289 to install a centerline at the intersection of
Bailey Ave and Fosters Point.
Rand moved to set the public hearing for Monday, November 23, at 7:15pm. Feldman seconded.
A roll call vote was taken, and the motion carried (8 -0).
Frates addressed the Council. He took a moment to honor Jack Good. Frates stated his legacy is
remarkable, and Frates recognized what he's done for our community, especially on the
philanthropic side. Frates told everyone that he is moving to Ward 2 and will no longer be able to
serve as Ward 6 City Councilor and must resign under the City Charter. It was an honor and
privilege to serve as a city councilor. Frates stated that after his son Pete's diagnosis in 2012, his
family received such incredible support from the community that he wanted run for office to
serve the community and give back. He thanked the city solicitor, mayor, President Guanci, his
campaign manager, wife, and the other councilors.
The councilors thanked him for his service.
Guanci read from the City Charter 2 -11 -C how the position would be filled and stated those
interested should contact the city clerk.
Feldman motioned to adjourn. Flowers seconded. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion
carried (8 -0). The meeting adjourned at 8:32pm.
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