1999-01-197:30 PM #3 A Public Hearing re Loan Order-Dump Capping ($5,300,000.00)
Referred to Finance ond Property
7:55 PM #8 A Public Heating re Trans To Acct New Fire Alarm Computer ($35,000)
Referred to Finance and Properly
7:58 PM #23 Public Hearing re petition of Boston Gas-Line to Ayers School
Referred to Public Service and Aid
Regular Meeting of Beverly City Council, Jan. 19, 1999
Roll Call: A# Councilors were present
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: ledby Counc//or Mun'ay
Acceptance of Minutes of Previous Meeting..
Appointments:
Communications from His Honor the Mayor:
#46
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby request that your Honorable Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached Subordination
Agreements as per attached communications from Nancy Ormiston from the Community Development
Office:
For property located at 4H Laurel Street owned by Arthur and Patricia Dalgnault and
For property located at 30-32 West Street owned by Theresa Vitale
Very Wuly youn,
William F. ScanIon, Jr., Mayor
Referred to Lelzal Affairs and Accounts
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby submit for your information the attached 1998 Annual Beano Reports from the following
organizations:
Friends of Beverly Council on Aging
St. Mary's Beano
St. John the Evangelist School
Very uculy yours,
William F. ScanIon, Jr., Mayor
Receive and Place on File
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
I hereby reappoint, subject to your review and recommendation, the following to serve as Constables in
the City of Beverly for the express purpose of serving Civil Process:
943 Hale Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Mr. Keplaire J. LaFontsnt
101 Rantoul Street #103
Beverly, MA 01915
Both applicants have been recommended by Police Chief William Terry.
Their terms will be effective until January 31, 2002.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
For your information enclosed is an offer from Mr. Cummings of a modified site on which to construct a
Public Safety Facility.
I intend to present the architects with both possible sites (the one on which we hold an option and this one)
for their consideration as to which would better serve the City's needs.
I have advised Mr. Cummings of my intentions. I will keep you informed regarding this matter.
Very truly yours,
William F. Scanlon, Jr., Mayor
Receive and Place on File
#50
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
To: Beverly City Council ECDC Members
Norwood Pond Commission
As you know, the City Council will be holding a Public Hearing on January 19th to consider final passage
of the appropriation necessary to cap the former landfill off Brimbal Avenue.
Enclosed is a statement from Frank Killilea, the City's Director of Engineering. Frank's statement is
intended to give you an overview of the entire landfill capping matter. Hopefully, it will help eliminate
confusion and create a better understanding of this complex matter.
In addition to the points Frank makes in his letter, I would like to make a few others:
I am committed to siting and developing sufficient new athletic field space to satisfy our City's
needs as deemed by the Recreation Commission.
I consider the question of constructing athletic fields near Norwood Pond to be entirely separate
from the question of constructing fields on the former dump site. All potential field sites in the
City must be left open for discussion until present and projected active recreation needs are met.
While the location of playing fields at the dump is not ideal in all respects, the demand for
additional fields is great. I fully support building these fields at the earliest practical time
consistant with public health and safety issues and the environmental requirements of the
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
I hope you will appreciate from Frank's note that we carefully selected highly competent
consultants who have worked diligently and thoroughly on the City's behalf. They have analyzed
a number of questions and design suggestions made recently by a member of the Conservation
Commission. None of those suggestions offers any recreational, environmental or financial
advantages to the City.
While the City's current landfill closure plan is designed for a passive recreation end-use, the
design will allow the City to create an active recreational use such as ballfields as soon as gas
emissions drop to levels acceptable to DEP. Nothing about the current plan will preclude this
option.
6. The schedule for capping the landfill is tight; the penalties that will be imposed on the City if it
fails to adhere to the capping deadline are severe. It is imperative that we follow our existing
plan as approved by DEP. A favorable vote on the appropriation next Tuesday is critical to our
construction timeline.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me or stop by the office. I look forward to furlher
discussion on the matter on the 19th.
Very truly yours,
William F. ScanIon, Jr., Mayor
These questions have been extensively discussed and addressed by the consultants with Mr. Lang
who had raised them.
Receive and Place on File
#51
Honorable City Council
191 Cabot Street
Bevedy, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
As you know, engineering work continues on the various drainage projects in the City
with construction on the Chase Street project expected to commence in the Spring.
In order to proceed with both the engineering and construction of these projects we
will need much larger levels of funding than available from the Engineering operating
budget.
As such, please find attached a loan order in the amount of $9,000,000.00 to fund the
drainage projects at Chase Street. Lawrence Street Brook and Chubbs Brook. I would
appreciate a first reading this evening to set a Public Hearing for your next meeting
on February 1, 1999.
Sincerely,
William F. ScanIon, Jr., Mayor
Referred to Finance and Property
Communications from Other City Officers and Boards:
#52
Honorable City Council
City Hall
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council:
RE: 15 Minute Parking, 1 West St., Bevedy
The owner of DeFusco Bakery, 1 West St., Beverly Farms is requesting some 15 minute
parking spaces in front of his bakery. I have talked to Councilor Murray and we
agree there should be some 15 minute parking there.
Please take the necessary action to amend City of Beverly revised Ordinances,
Chapter 14, Section 123 as follows:
ADD: West Street, three {3} spaces in front of #1 West Street, between the hours of
6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.m., 7 days a week.
Very truly yours,
Dennis O. Tarsook, Traffic Sergeant
Refer To Legal Affairs and Accounts
#53
Minutes of Beverly Harbor Management Authority meeting of January 7, 1999
Referred to Finance and Property
#54 (Late File)
City Council
191 Cabot St.
Beverly, MA 01915
Dear Honorable Council
At the request of the Beverly Harbor Master I enclose the attached proposed
Ordinance for your consideration and request that it be adopted by the Council. If
you have any questions please do not hesitate to call me.
Very truly yours,
Marshall J. Handly
City Solicitor
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
Communications, Applications and Petitions;
#,55
Request for Water Abatement, Anthony Mirabito, 150R Dodge St.
Referred to Public Service and Aid
#56
Communication from Fred's Pawn Shop relative to Interest Rate.
Refer to Legal Affairs and Accounts
#57
Application-Second Hand Junk Dealers License-The Carousel, 217 Rantoul St.
Referred to Legal Affairs and Accounts
#58
Comm. from Pine Street Inn relative to clothing donation bin in Pond Street municipal
lot.
Referred to Finance and Property
Reports from Committees.
#4
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Loan
Order Capping of Brimhal Ave, Landfill have considered said matter and beg leave
to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the City Council approve a loan order in the amount of Five Million
Three Hundred Thousand {$5,300,000.00 Dollars for capping of the Brimbal Landfill.
Loan Order: Ordered that five million three hundred thousand ($5,300,000.00) dollars
is appropriated for the purpose of financing the closure and capping of the Beverly
Landfill located off of Brimbal Avenue, including without limitation all costs thereof as
defined in Section 1 Chapter 29C of the General Laws; that to meet this
appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor and the Director of
Municipal Finance and under the direction of the Committee on Finance and
Property, is authorized to borrow $5,300,000.00 and issue bonds or notes thereof under
G. L. c.44 and/or G.L.c.29C and to file an application with the Emergency Finance
Board to quality the bonds under Chapter 44A of General Laws; that the City
Treasurer is further authorized to file a certified copy of the loan order and provide
such other information and execute such other documents as the Board may require;
that such bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the City unless the Treasurer,
with the approval of the Mayor and the Director of Finance and under the direction
of the Committee on Finance and Property, determines that they should be issued as
limited obligations and may be secured by local system revenues as defined in
Section 1 of Chapter 29C; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor and the
Director of Finance and under the direction of the Committee on Finance and
Property, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the
Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C
and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or security
agreement with the Trust and otherwise to contract with the Trust and Department of
Environmental Protection with respect to such loan and for any federal or state aid
available for the project or for the financing thereof; that the Mayor is authorized to
enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental
Protection, to expend all funds available for the project and to take any other action
necessary to carry out the project; and that all bonds or notes issued hereunder shall
be certified to in writing as to their genuineness by Fleet National Bank or its
successor.
First Passage: January 4, 1999
Public Hearing: January 19, 1999
Final Passage: January 19, 1999
Order read once and adopted on a Roll Call Vote
Roll Call:
Yea: Flaherty, Martin, McGlynn, McMahon, Murray, Rollins, Troubetaris, Van
Liere, Gilmore
Nay: None
Absent: None
#8
The Committee on Finance and Propedy to whom was referred the matter of Transfer
to Account "New Fire Alarm Computer" ($35,000.00) have considered said matter
and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the City Council approve a Transfer in the Amount of thirty-five
Thousand ($35,000.00) Dollars from account Reserve for Unforeseen to New Fire Alarm
computer
Said sum of money to be expended under the direction of Timothy Brennan and
Kenneth Pelonzi.
First Passage: January 4, 1999
Public Headng: January 19, 1999
Final Passage: January 19, 1999
Order read once and adopted on a Roll Call Vote
Roll Call:
Yea: Flaherty, Martin, McGlynn, McMahon, Murray, Rollins, Troubetaris, Van Liere,
Gilmore
Nay: None
Absent: None
#51
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of
Loan Order $9,000,000.00 Drainage Projects have considered said matter and beg
leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the City Council hold a Public Hearing on Monday, February 1, 1999
at 7:30 PM at the Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St., Beverly, MA relative to the
enclosed Loan Order in the amount of nine million ($9,000,000.00) dollars to fund the
drainage projects at Chase Street, Lawrence Street Brook and Chubbs Brook
Loan Order: Ordered that nine million [$9,000,000.00) dollars is appropriated for the
purpose of financing the construction and reconstruction of surface drains, sewers,
sewerage systems and sewage treatment and disposal facilities in the Chase Street,
Lawrence Street Brook and Chubbs Brook areas, including without limitation all costs
thereof as defined in Section 1 Chapter 29C of the General Laws; that to meet this
appropriation the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor and the Director of
Municipal Finance and under the direction of the Committee on Finance and
Property, is authorized to borrow $9,000,000.00 and issue bonds or notes thereof under
G. L. c.44 and/or G.L. c.29C and to file an application with the Emergency Finance
Board to quality the bonds under Chapter 44A of General Laws; that the City
Treasurer is further authorized to file a certified copy of the loan order and provide
such other information and execute such other documents as the Board may require;
that such bonds or notes shall be general obligations of the City unless the Treasurer,
with the approval of the Mayor and the Director of Finance and under the direction
of the Committee on Finance and Property, determines that they should be issued as
limited obligations and may be secured by local system revenues as defined in
Section 1 of Chapter 29C; that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Mayor and the
Director of Finance and under the direction of the Committee on Finance and
Property, is authorized to borrow all or a portion of such amount from the
Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust established pursuant to Chapter 29C
and in connection therewith to enter into a loan agreement and/or security
agreement with the Trust and otherwise to contract with the Trust and Department of
Environmental Protection with respect to such loan and for any federal or state aid
available for the project or for the financing thereof; that the Mayor is authorized to
enter into a project regulatory agreement with the Department of Environmental
Protection, to expend all funds available for the project and to take any other action
be certified to in writing as to their genuineness by
successor.
First Passage: January 3, 1999
Public Hearing: February 1, 1999
Final Passage: February 1, 1999
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#:59
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of request
to use city property for handicap ramp, 166 Cabot St. have considered said matter
and beg leave to repod as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#31
The Committee on Finance and Property to whom was referred the matter of Comm
regarding West Beach Taxes have considered said matter and beg leave to report
as follows, to wit:
Receive and Place on File
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#3
The Committee on Legal Affairs and Accounts to whom was referred the matter of
Subordination Agreement for land owned by David and Ana Pszenny at 15R Wellman
St. have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: His Honor the Mayor be, and the same is hereby authorized to sign the
attached SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT for David and Ana Pszenny at 15R Wellman St.
as recommended by Community Development Director Dawn Goodwin.
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#23
The Committee on Public Service and Aid to whom was referred the matter of
Petition of Boston Gas for main to Ayers School have considered said matter and beg
leave to report as follows, to wit
Recommend the Petition be Granted
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#6
The Committee on Public Service and Aid to whom was referred the matter of
Reappointment of Diana J. Costa and Neil B. Olson and the Appointment of Joanne
F. Panunzio
to the Trustees of the Public Library have considered said matter and beg leave to
report as follows, to wit:
Recommend that the Council approve the appointments.
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#7
The Committee on Public Service and Aid to whom was referred the matter of
Appointment of Special Police Officers for Northeast Health systems (Beverly Hospital)
have considered said matter and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Recommend that the Council approve the appointments
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
#15
The Committee on Public Service and Aid to whom was referred the matter of
request for a study to be done Putnam St.-Drainage have considered said matter
and beg leave to report as follows, to wit:
Submit the accompanying order and recommend its adoption
Ordered: That the City Council approve the request from Councilor Martin for a study
to be done regarding the drainage problems on Putnam St. and also that the request
be referred to the City Engineer and DPW Director
Order read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
The following ordinance was read into Council minutes on December 21, 1998. First
Passage January 4, 1998 Held by Charter Provisions, advertised and held for Final
Passage Jan 19, 1999
#30 Ordinance-Motor Vehicles and Traffic One Way Traffic-Judson St.
#42 Ordinance Building and Building Regulations Fees
42A Ordinance License and Business Reg. Plumbing re Fees
Ordinances read once and adopted 9-0 Vote
Resolutions:
Motions and Orders
State of the City Address
Delivered at the Beverly Public Library
By Honorable William F. ScanIon, Jr.
Mayor of Beverly
Dear Honorable Council, Guests and Citizens,
It is my privilege and honor to stand before you tonight having now completed five full years
as Mayor of our fair city.
When this voyage began five years ago it was with a commiunent to a careful broadening of
the business tax base to provide funds for an improved educational and cityside infrastructure thus
improving the quality of life.
We believed that carefully balenced decisions to broaden the business tax base and a bolstered
revenue stream were critical. Short-term decisions with one-time benefits might help, but could not be
the central thrust. Our program was not intended merely to allow us to continue breathing for a few
years, but rather to create a foundation for decades of prosperity for this city, not only for us but for our
children and our children's children.
A majority of the City Council and I have now had five full years to show what we can do. I
think it's fair to take a hard look at the record. As we look into the future we also have to review and
consider what we have done in the past.
Speech - Page 2
When the task was started, it was obscured by the serious deficit into which the City had
fallen. But five years of annual surpluses have erased the deficit, created a positive fund balance that
helped us significantly restore our bond rating and created an environment in which we could attack the
real issues.
First, education -
School buildings were crumbling around us. The roofs leaked. Pails spread
around on floors tried to catch raindrops at the High School. Water on the floors
popped tiles. Water on the walls peeled the paint. At Centerville the roof leaked also.
Children were so cold in one elementary school, they wore their coats in class. One
school was literally falling down. We chose to attack these problems two ways - short
and long term.
In the short term progress has been impressive. The High School roof has been
redone and the J Wing cross corridor renovated. Centerville has a new roof. McKay
has all new windows and extensive masonry repairs have been completed without
which McKay would have suffered the same fate as the Washington-Beadle.
Edwards has all new windows. We have committed to and largely completed a
spending program of $4 million to improve these facilities, all of it above and beyond
the normal school budget.
We appreciate the patience of students, faculty and parents who were
inconvenienced as we have speedily pursued these necessary improvements.
The one building that has not been adequately improved is the Briscoe Middle School. We
had earlier received a feasibility report that indicated approximately $600,000 would be needed to
make the exterior of the building water-tight.
Speech - Page 3
We then engaged consultants to do a detailed scope of work. Our intent was to advise you
tonight that we were about to let contracts for that work.
The bad news is that the detailed scope of work first received by the Superintendent and me
late last Thursday and discussed on Friday, identifies a project of at least $2 million. Detailed
inspection has shown the building exterior to be in much worse condition than earlier reported.
The Superintendent and I have agreed to take the next 30 days working with all appropriate
parties to develop a recommendation on what to do and when to do it, and to do so carefully
considering the question of SBAB reimbursement eligibility.
As you know, Briscoe is located on a relatively small parcel of land. You will recall that other
schools on small parcels were ineligible for state reimbursement specifically the Edwards, McKay and
Beadle schools. One interesting suggestion is the construction of a pedestrian air bridge from Briscoe
over Colon Street, over the train tracks coming down on Bessie Baker Field. Such a bridge would give
the Briscoe youngsters access to a playing area.
Let me assure you that in any event we will develop a speedy resolution and one that does not
in any way short-change the students at Briscoe. We will find sufficient funds to make the Briscoe
environment reasonable in the near term.
.As you know, the elementary facilities program called for one new school and major
renovations and expansions of five others. The new school, the James L. McKeown School, opened in
September and was the first new school in Beverly in more than 30 years.
Speech - Page 4
Work at Ayers/Ryal Side is in progress and should be completed by this summer. Hannah and
Cove will follow in the next two years.
We have also begun the planning for our secondary facilities that when put into place will
bring our middle schools and high school to a first class physical standard. When these major programs
are completed, our school facilities will be second to none throughout the Commonwealth.
And let me add, that while good buildings don't necessarily mean a good education, our
facilities were so poor they were an impediment to a good education.
Turning to Cityside infrastructure - we had a city that had ignored its infrastructure needs.
Storm runoff flooding was rampant. The flooding problems at Chase Street have existed since the
houses were built more than 50 years ago. Flooding in Ward 4 largely resulted from continued
development of homes with no increase in the size of the drainage lines. i
This means that from Palmer Road to Kelleher's Pond to Lothrop Street to the ocean, the
drainage system has become over-burdened and flooding has occurred regularly.
Equally important are the issues in Ward 1 at Sanset Drive and Beverly Hills Avenue where
~ainage problems have existed since the homes were built. In Beverly Farms at Chubbs Brook, homes
were built in areas bound to flood. Added to the above is flooding in Ward 5 near Brimbal Avenue
where a solution is yet to be determined.
I am pleased to tell you that this very evening we are requesting $9 million in bond
authorization to fund the improvements at Chase Street Ward 3, the improvements along Lawrence
Brock in Ward 4 and those along Chubbs Brook in Ward 6.
Speech - Pa~e 5
The engineering for the Chase Street project is essentially complete and we anticipate construction
commencing in May. The engineering regarding Lawrence Brook is well along and we anticipate
construction to start this summer.
The Chubbs Brook project needs review with several landowners, but I am hopeful that it toc
can be started in calendar 1999.
Solutions to the Sunset Drive, Beverly Hills Avenue area' ard I have been engineered into
mW[
the Route 62 project in Danvers that has now been edver~ised. This is a state project that we will push
hard to get started in 1999. We will also study the problem in Ward 5 and put funds into the Capital
Expenditure Plan for both study and correction.
Please note that we are carefully planning for our bonded indebtedness. As I mentioned
before, the key to funding these improvements lies in the continued and controlled expansion of our
industrial and commercial tax base.
It is important to realize that with so many construction projects in the works, our city could
experience some traffic flow disruption and inconvenience in the coming months. I am asking the
citizens of this city and you as their representatives for patience as we work through this necessary and
long overdue process.
Working with each ward councilor we will soon schedule another round of neighborhood
meetings to again review the projects I just mentioned as well as others I will mention shortly.
Infrastructure of come means many other things besides drainage as a quick look at our
Capital Expenditure Plan shows. Last year's plan totaled $118 million including schools.
Speech - Pak, e 6
Last year's plan proved to be well done in terms of content, timing and scope. The 99 plan
will be even larger in dollar amounts as we broaden the net although the performance versus plan for
last year was very good.
In addition to schools, we built a new shed to house road salt. You have already begun to see
the benefits of the shed. The salt used on Beverly's streets is now stored out of the weather. It is dry
and spreads more completely. We avoid the dilution and the pollution from storing it outside in the
weather.
We made a start on improvements to Beverly Common. The Common is due to be completed
and dedicated by Memorial Day. We installed a new fueling facility at the city facility on Park Street.
We removed, sealed or modified 17 underground fuel storage tanks at city facilities. All are now in
compliance with state regulations and fxee of any threat of state fmas.. We completed the engineering
design to cap the Brimbal Avenue landfill.
We began design for a new road in Ward 2 (residents must still make a decision on this
project.) We beg design to improve Grover SWeet.
The first section of Grovar Street to be improved will be from Middlebury Lane to Old
Planters Road. It will include a sidewalk. We hope to begin construction this year.
We took the tint steps on a Public Safety facility. Bill Cummings has now offered us the
alternative of a site that is more square in shape. The architects will look at both possibilities as to
which is more desirable. We closely researched new water meters and will soon begin installing new
meters in homes.
Speech - Page 7
Notably, aRer a great deal of work to obtain public and private f'mancing but no long-term
invesunent by the City, we began work on Sam Fonzo Drive to open up industrially-zoned land for
development near the John Mountan Field.
We have also begun initial design work on an overpass/interchange near the Music Theater
having secured $5 million in State funds. This quality of life project will no doubt benefit from
significant input from interested citizens. At this time, the Norwood Pond Commission is studying this
subject closely.
A word on the Capital Expenditure Plan - This document is important and takes time and
effort to prepare. But by itself it means little. It is the funding to implement the plan that is important.
Sufficient funding is needed to keep us from making what I call "unacceptable decisions."
As an example, to solve Chase Street's flooding problem but not that of Lawrence Brook is
unacceptable. Equally unacceptable is a solution to the Lawrence Brook problem while not correcting
the Chase Street issues.
The real test of management and leadership in this city is finding the funds to implement
all these essential solutions. I believe that the record shows we are doing just that, and I would
like to take a few moments to reflect on the key decisions and actions in our success to date.
Surely one of the first key outcomes was the development of the Stop & Shop on Elliott Street.
The rezoning voted by the City Council and endorsed overwhelmingly by the electorate was crucial.
Speech - Page 8
It cleaned up a blighted site and improved real estate values in the area while adding to the tax base.
More importan~y I believe that without the Stop & Shop there would be no Cummings Park.
Cummings Park is perhaps the single most important redevelopment project in the entire State
of Massachusetts in recent years. To their credit, the people of Beverly have welcomed Cummings
Properties to our city and generally applauded its rebirth of the Old Shoe.
The approval of a TIF, or tax increment financing plan, for the Cummings Properties sent a
strong message of welcome while providing many positive advantages to our city. Encouraged by both
the administration and the citizenry, Cummings has now invested a total of more than $50 million in the
site since acquisition. Yes, that is correct - $50 million - much more than the $14 million initial
commim~ent.
Bill Cummings expects the investment to reach $54 million in total. I consider
him a shrewd investor and expect the value created will far exceed the investment
itself. Beverly's reward for its action will be a very healthy increase in our new growth
and our tax assessments by mid 2001, less than 2 1/2 years away and these new
revenues will benefit Beverly each year for generations to come.
Another crucial link in our strategy has been Sam For~zo Drive, opening up the
land near the Airport. I actually drove the most of the roadway only one week ago.
This dream is starting to become reality. Not only will it add to our tax
revenues, but it will solve sanitary sewer problems for many area residents and the
Airport and increase water pressure for convenience and fire safety.
Speech - Page 9
These revenue streams are, of course, vital to fund our needs but there is much more to a
successful city. We must encourage positive auimdes and community pride. Service to citizens must be
attentive, courteous and helpful.
We are making progress. I'm sure you have noticed. Particularly visible is the Department of
Public Services under the direction of Michael PapamechaiL Our streets are swept regularly. City
employees repaired and improved many parks and playgrounds, trLrnmed and cut trees and resurfaced
all or portions of 18 streets last year. Many sidewalks have been repaired or replaced. Workers repaired
130 water leaks last yeas resulting in a savings of 113 million gallons per year. Many feet of drainage
conduit were repaired or replaced on nine streets. City crews flushed and checked every water hydrant
in the city last year and installed 14 new hydrants.
The deparunent also accomplished countless other tasks that have added significantly to the
beauty and quality of life in our city. Gone are the days of emergency only. Maintenance is regularly
scheduled. Equipment is clean and it works. These maintenance improvements are just as important to
the affected residents as large capital expenditure projects are to others.
Our Police Deparlment under the leadership of Chief Bill Terry, has better morale, is more
customer ~endly and is providing service with a smile.
For someone unfortunate enough to need emergency medical help, there is no better place to
he than Beverly. Our Fire Depamnent, two-thirds of whom are EMTs, our Police Depar~mant and our
ambulance service all respond to each call. Firefighters are also trained in defibrillation.
Speech-Page 10
Last year firefighters made about 4,000 service calls with 42 percent of them, or 1,660 being
emergency medical responses..
Don't get me wrong, there is always more to do. And we are determined to enntinue to
inlprove.
On the Deparanent Head level, we have in place a group of c~mpetent, professional men end
women who look at Beverly as one cohesive entity. They work diligently to make our city better.
The Finance Deparnnent under John Dunn acts as a conduit and has greatly improved
interdepartmental cooperation and facilitated much progress. Tonight we am pleased to announce the
hiring by John Dunn of John Heaphy as Chief Assessor. John's late father gave Beverly many years of
faithful service.
The Engineering Department under Frank Kilillea is handling and reducing an accumulated
backlog. Purchasing under Chris Bradley is saving money and complying with regulations sometimes
ignored previously.
Tom Scully continues to manage a diverse group of activities well. Working with Leslee
Breen, our Senior Center Director, we have seen our Senior Center shift from a source of complaints to
a source of compliments.
Tim Brennan, our building inspector, managed the installation of a new emergency generator
for City Hall and the Police Station, the painting of City Hall and is well along with other
improvements including a new handicap-accessible elevator - All of this on top of his regular duties.
And as you know, the Planning Director Tina Cassidy guided us through a difficult year
bringing to fruition the highly complicated Sum Fonzo Drive project. She also made great progress on
the Hardie School RFP and worked closely with the Planning Board on the Loeb Estate matter.
Speech - PaRe 11
Under her direction, we will soon issue an PEP for the waterfront property near die new
Beverly-Salem bridge. I would ask each councilor tonight to begin actively thinking about the Ventron
property and its possible acquisition by the city. This 3.7-acre waterfront parcel will soon be available
to the city for approximately $900,000 or slightly less than its assessed value. If die city does decide to
purchase this property we can help guide its future development and use. I would caution that this site
cannot be allowed to be an unproductive asset on a long-term basis.
The Public Safety facility on Elliott Street is moving forward. This facility and the Master
Plan will be challenges for the new year.
We are working hard to achieve fair contract settlements under the leadership of Tom
L'Italian. We seek contracts that treat our employees as adults and compensate them fairly. It is my
pleasure to advise you that the City Hall workers last week voted in favor of a four-year contract.
Finally, I must mention oar Legal Department. The recent work to regain our Watershed
Protection Rights in the Moraine Farm matter was especially noteworthy. Of all the surprises I have had
since becoming Mayor, none surpasses the need for sound legal advice on almost every issue, no matter
how innocuous it may seem.
We have a free Superintendent of Schools with whom Ium pleased to be able to work closely.
The budgeting process remains a challenge, but we will continue to make progress.
While we have improved facilities, we have also added teachers especially at the high school.
Beverly did well in the recent MCAS tests especially compared to other cities.
Speech - Pa2e 12
But the Superintendent and every school Committee member will tall you that we can and will
do much better in the future.
On the Environment - This subject is of great concern to everyone in our city because the
actions of today will affect the lives of tomorrow.
I have been particularly concerned of late with the subject of athletic playing fields, as you
know. Our Recreation Commission says the City has desperate need for fields, perhaps 7 or 8
additional ones. Ium encouraged that Public Services has now improved and installed watering systems
at Bassie Baker, Carrato, Memorial, Vittori Park, Hurd Stadium and Cross Lane to safeguard oar
invesUnent in these facilities.
As 1 consider the needs of the Recreation Commission and look for places to locate fields, I
don't see any easy answers. Possible locations are few and often complicated.
We believe we have one location at Moraine Farm. North Beverly near Norwood Pond
remains a possibility. The landfill location has been selected, but the date for installation is uncertain
and the cost will be great. I am working on one or two other locafions~ This city includes much open
space that in many cases has been put off limits to active recreation through conservation restriction. It
is not clear to me that we have struck an appropriate balance betwean active and passive use.
Let me describe for you one possibility.
The city owns 18 acres near the Airport bounded by Henderson Road and Route 97. This site
is known as the Vitale site. It has had some environmental problems that should soon be resolved. We
have been approached and have a preliminary offer from an experienced developer of skating rinks
who wishes to build an indoor facility on that site.
Speech - Page 13
I have discussed this subject from the view that we would consider providing the land on a
long-term lease.
. We would take no financial interest in the building or operation of the facility. instead we
would receive regular and significant amounts of free ice time for all oar citizens, boys and girls, men
and women, for their recreational skating needs. I ask you tonight to begin to consider this proposal.
The land is currently under conservation restriction but Representative Mike Cahill has indicated that
this could be changed if we were able to achieve strong enough consenius on this subject. Of come,
our Conservation Commission will be actively involved in anything we do there.
Some other comments -
Five years ago I said that I wanted to help prepare Beverly for the 21*t Century. That sounded
very distant then. But now we are on the brink of turning a Millennium. Although, I would point out
that Beverly fully recognizes that the 21st Century does not actually begin until January 1 in the Year
2001.
However technically correct this may be, it does make sense for us to join the rest of the world
and observe the coming of the Year 2000. Accordingly, I will be appointing a research committee to
work with the First Night Committee to see how Beverly should welcome the Year 2000.
I think at a minimum we ought to consider preparing a City Time Capsule to be buried
perhaps in one of our renovated schools for the enjoyment of Beverly citizens in, say, the Year 2100.
I must mention that in recent months City Hall employees have undergone much disruption
and noise as the price of progress.
Speech - Page 14
Installation of a modern elevator and other modifications in y~ur City Hall has meant many
months of dust, noise and relocations. Through it all our City Hall employees have conducted city
business with professionalism and a free spirit of helpfulness.
When this work is completed in a few weeks time, I intend to sponsor an Open House for all
Beverly citizens to allow them a chance to see what we have done.
On another subject
When several violent incidents occurred in our cit~ last year, I created a commission under the
chairmanship of Councilnr Tim Flahert~ to look into the problem and recommend solutions.
They did so. Several of their recommendations have already been adopted by the School
Departnxent. That commission determined that much violent behavior stems fi'om a general lack of
respect for the property or opinions or others. We need to return to the basic values of understanding,
tolerance, respect and courtesy, values that have made our city the special place that it is. Thus, I am
recommending that we set aside the ~ird week in March to observe "Rights, Responsibility and
Respect Week" in Beverly.
I am asking city employees to treat citizens with special courtesy and a renewed commitment
to helpfulness. I am asking young people to treat their fiiends, classmates and elders with kindness and
good manners. I am asking members of the Beverly Clergy to deliver sermons and promote discussions
on the importance of civil behavior. I'm asking citizens to be tolerant of opposing views and to conduct
· eir business in the public arena with polite discourse. I asking those who drive automobiles to
emphasize patience rather than haste, and helpfulness rather than punishment.
Speech - Page 15
And I'm asking coaches and parents to re-emphasize to youngsters the principles and benefits
of good sportsmanship and how to win or lose with style and grace.
Can we cure these social ills just by tailing about them? Certainly not. But we must at least
start a dialogue and raise awareness. Communities across the nation, including the city of Melrose,
have started similar campaigns. It is time for Beverly to reaffirm its reputation as a Civilized City.
On a more personal note, people have asked me if l enjoy being mayor. The answer most oRen
is yes. The best part of the job is the opportunity to meet so many of our citizens. Not all of them agree
with me. But I am constantly gratified with the many expressions of support and friendship that are
extended to me as I move around the city.
I thank you City Councilors for your support. Nearly all of you have made it a habit to stop
by, announced or unannounced. Please continue to do so. My door is always open to you and to all the
citizens of Beverly.
There is more to be done, and I would like to do it. 1 believe we are poised to make 1999 our
most productive year yet.
Like you I think that Beverly is a great place to live. My goal has always been to help make
Beverly even better, to help Beverly reach its potential as a leading community in the Commonwealth,
as a community of people who care about their city and each other.
As mayor, my major duties necessarily have emphasized issues of financing and construction
improvements to city facilities. But looking forward, I am concerned about some other issues.
Speech - Page 16 I
When the construction stops and the dust clears, what kind of city do we want to have? The
fact is that Beverly is now at a point where it can not only envision the kind of community we want, but
actually achieve it.
We are moving ahead with our master plan. As this work proceeds we will be researching and
debating the future.
My own view is that Beverly ought to be a diverse community served by a responsive and
efficient local government, a vibrant and varied business community offering employment and services.
In addition, our city must provide opportunities for employment, recreation, education, and affordable
housing. We must educate our children well, protect our citizens well and safeguard our many
environmental advantages.
We must truly adopt the commitment in the oath of the Athenian City-State that reads in part -
"We will unceasingly seek to quicken the sense of public duty. We will revere and obey the city's
laws. We will transmit this city not only not lass, but greater, better and more beautiful than it
was transmitted to us."
I believe that Beverly is a city on the move to greatness. By working together I believe it
t~uly is within our power to move Beverly to the top rank of Massachusetts cities as we enter the 21It
Century.
Thank you very much.
William F. ScanIon, Jr.
Mayor of Beverly
January 19,1999
Meeting Adjourned at 10:55 PM Attest: Frances A. Macdonald C.M.C
City Clerk