[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6264043,"mediaKeyId","3099353-ef93691f960a4a279e70288a93a9b72a","parentId",3099353,"title","Beverly council approves $285,000 transfer to cover firefighters—contract; finance officials warn reserves will be strained","audioSeconds",2840,"startMs",1831000,"endMs",4671000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099353-ef93691f960a4a279e70288a93a9b72a&start=1831&end=4671","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099353-ef93691f960a4a279e70288a93a9b72a/thumbnail_1831000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6264043/Beverly-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Beverly-council-approves-285000-transfer-to-cover-firefighterscontract-finance-officials-warn-reserves-will-be-strained","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264043-d42cc7c9a447f68a3fc86cb64a9e621f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191923&Signature=PQmxOUjkPJ3M-hJUs9xs9VVkxvm9idIkdc5tlvvgzl3T71u66dJehXv7j031-07ZlT9~VumZS0ppb3XlkdGqmOFp3f7h3AYwGkTNnqt81I4Rq8kMLEh5lFGn8B9Q0t3lAGhR59giDWt47TkKphJneLZqCiasibawFRSwTu35S6sfDb~7tGR66Z8DdJbAeO6whU4g2WMvqbSIhj63dpO4MHTTHUkIEvAgxeIFx2iO-OFvxBNwSybmaNWARsQTE3248l8SkPEnwI6g~yBwZUU1D0rJB2ULBdjfANNAUXxFXFg7YHcAKG9A6iJ5RDY8Cy2dUfInPyJZgAWVVsKHO-GJIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Beverly, MA","date","2025-04-23T20:26:58.177Z","article","The Beverly City Council approved a $285,000 transfer into the Fire Department budget on a 6-0 vote to fund costs under a recently negotiated memorandum of agreement with the firefighters\u0000union covering fiscal years 2025 through 2027.

Brian Ailes, the city finance director, told the council the transfer covers both rank-and-file firefighters and the fire department\u0000superior officers and is retroactive to July 1 of the current fiscal year. \"This represents ... the terms of FY '25 through FY '27,\" Ailes said, and recommended using two reserve accounts to cover the cost: $153,038 from the reserve for union negotiations and $131,062 from the reserve for unforeseen expenses.

The move will draw the reserve for union negotiations to zero and reduce the reserve for unforeseen from $250,000 to $118,038, city officials said. Jerry Perry, the city council budget analyst, recommended adoption and flagged follow-up budget pressure: \"I recommend adoption of the proposal. We have the money there,\" he said, but added that other deficits (notably snow-and-ice costs) will likely require additional adjustments before the fiscal year ends.

Chief O'Connor, representing the Beverly Fire Department, answered council questions about operational changes and training embedded in the agreement. He said the department is shifting from the long-used National Fire Incident Reporting System to the National Emergency Response Information System; staff will need to input more detailed incident and patient-care data. On personal protective equipment, the chief said, \"the gear is good for 10 years,\" noting that actual replacement cycles vary by usage and that the department maintains backup sets to minimize risk.

Councilors pressed staff about the effect on other budgets and what funding sources might cover remaining deficits. Perry said the city will continue to review line items and that free cash is a legal option but not the preferred initial remedy. He said final decisions about how to address projected shortfalls will likely come in May or early June when year-to-date figures are clearer.

There was one member of the public listed on the hearing sign-in sheet for this item (Brian Riddle); no substantive public comment was recorded during the hearing on the transfer. After discussion the council moved the order to committee and later took a final vote approving the transfer 6-0.

The council approved the transfer during the public hearing on the MOA and instructed staff to continue monitoring year-end budget status and potential additional transfers or other corrective steps if deficits persist.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beverly City Council Meeting 04/22/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Beverly City Council approved a $285,000 transfer into the Fire Department budget on a 6-0 vote to fund costs under a newly negotiated memorandum of agreement with the firefighters' union covering fiscal years 2025\u0000through 2027.","taxTitle","Beverly City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",55069,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6264038,"Council approves $636,858.50 in CPA funding for eight projects including Balch Playground and Holcroft splash pad",2341,2480000,4821000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3099353-ef93691f960a4a279e70288a93a9b72a&start=2480&end=4821","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3099353-ef93691f960a4a279e70288a93a9b72a/thumbnail_2480000.jpg","/articles/6264038/Beverly-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-63685850-in-CPA-funding-for-eight-projects-including-Balch-Playground-and-Holcroft-splash-pad","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6264038-32f0e3589a9bc2211bf7bbf7fe43626b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191923&Signature=hLzD88xK5dydwqXQ5PpLz6734b9tIrf2CAae53zf0C4-M2Xvh1jYl2pOPcuaEFM5xaYo0ibPRi0raM6l-6dxW06FcI6nUZ2MTRBDoNBFEsX5tJ0uHnMTsQjLR2Is9cQErxmJaBd7nJ1bt0WqZPRYu1tw3LmNA0udLootcpj~0QP-rP~FY~FgvZSeP-2myQ1Z~YPqI4Jg1IBR8lpqowG86i-FmEep4ByvTdwKJ5kEx6z1kik-hStHI54tMQKyz6xATRoRqxxZqgYQyutePsvmeYQO~ySSp5p-BtQ9cDFEQuqbfMOdDjwvRVH8Vz7QFuQT0m7072rDJNcHXkTV06mEBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Beverly City Council approved the Community Preservation Committee's Round 12 recommendations on a series of votes that advanced eight projects totaling $636,858.50 in CPA funds.

Derek Beckwith, representing the Community Preservation Committee, summarized the package and said the recommended projects fall into two categories: recreation and historic preservation. He told the council the committee recommended four recreation projects (including the Balch Playground renovation and a planned splash pad at Holcroft Park) and four historic-resources projects (including work at the Cabot House and the Beverly Cemetery fence), and that the round's recommended total is $636,858.50.

Beckwith provided specific amounts for several projects: $56,490 to study and design an Abbott Street right-of-way pocket park; $150,000 for Balch Playground renovation; and $100,000 for the Holcroft Park splash pad. He said the YMCA project would receive about $25,000 toward restoration of the 10-footer shoe shop on Essex Street and described the Cabot Performing Arts Center rose-window restoration as part of a larger $3,685,000 renovation that will include a clawback provision in the memorandum of understanding because the Cabot is a private nonprofit.

Councilors asked about matching funds and project partnerships. Beckwith said some projects included private or foundation matches (for example, Lynch Park-related work has Lynch Foundation and private donations; Balch Playground and Gillis Park projects include local fundraising and city work). He also noted that Jean Delios serves as the city's CPA administrator and helps shepherd projects through schedule and compliance requirements.

During council action, each project was moved and approved individually. Votes were recorded as follows: the Abbott Street right-of-way project (6-0); Balch Playground renovation (6-0); Holcroft Park splash pad (6-0); Gillis Park pavilion (6-0); Cabot House porticos (6-0); final phase of the Beverly Cemetery fence (6-0); the YMCA 10-footer shoe shop renovation (5-0, Councilor Rotondo recused); and the Cabot Performing Arts Center rose-window restoration (6-0). Beckwith said that after this round the CPA fund balance would be about $1.7 million.

The council approved the committee-recommended slate during a Committee on Finance and Property vote and then confirmed each item in the full council session.","The Beverly City Council approved Community Preservation Committee recommendations for eight Round 12 CPA projects totaling $636,858.50, including park renovations and historic preservation work. Most projects passed unanimously; the YMCA item passed 5-0 with one recusal.","actionData","errors"]

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Beverly council approves $285,000 transfer to cover firefighters—contract; finance officials warn reserves will be strained

Council approves $636,858.50 in CPA funding for eight projects including Balch Playground and Holcroft splash pad