[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6195261,"mediaKeyId","3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c","parentId",3862683,"title","Fire chief reports steady response performance, raises turnout‑gear PFAS concerns and overtime pressures","audioSeconds",1706,"startMs",1681000,"endMs",3387000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c&start=1681&end=3387","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c/thumbnail_1681000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6195261/Beverly-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Fire-chief-reports-steady-response-performance-raises-turnoutgear-PFAS-concerns-and-overtime-pressures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195261-dc086d0c922c8333250887cca75e467b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155701&Signature=LXcArkgzBCJh4dZraN0tiPiRCR30U2c0vVLQyCjNpFdN8R-k9fUaCmpMSaBRjM2d7tYU9RioOuABu~Euf5LE6bbV7TRglS6XWWA6C2oKoUzdjww0-WaVKIDocTjv0-1P5gcDjhmEWWOhQUlvpv2zDLHutsQMZqXnS-G5MvzjjYwtALf~K3C~rWKqJk-Aa1JTbaYmoa674v-3cLBFWP59mLeAQlLs7c5kujUr7FiKEH1~J8vf16f9aq7IyUkApM8tfYx8fHQXDcr0OYJhKSzY~D6Azu0X7ECUnTPBdjg0UzhM8Qwib7adij0WGonPQgnfnVFw4slXxMOZCHEMKyBoaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Beverly, MA","date","2025-06-18T11:51:04Z","article","Chief O'Connor of the Beverly Fire Department told the finance and property committee that department incident volumes and response performance remain a focus as the department moves through the FY26 budget process. “We’re up to about 6,400 incidents last year when I started. We’re doing about 3,900. Excuse me,” Chief O'Connor said while reviewing response maps.

The department’s budget request keeps its current staffing structure for emergency response: 44 firefighters, 12 lieutenants, 4 captains and 4 deputies, with a minimum on duty staffing level of 13 each shift to provide three pumping apparatus, a ladder and an incident officer. Chief O'Connor described three overtime lines in the budget—shift coverage to hold the daily minimum staffing, a general emergency line for callbacks during major events, and an off‑duty training line for required classes that cannot be completed on shift.

On response times, O'Connor said most areas show acceptable performance although some outlying streets can exceed 11 minutes: “If you see red, it's mostly down the end of Hull Street, that end, you can be up over 11 and a half minutes,” he said. He credited combined dispatch with reduced response times.

Budget changes highlighted by the chief include a modest reduction to building maintenance, a reduction in EMS supplies that were elevated during COVID, and a slight decrease in the special supplies line that funds turnout gear replacements. Chief O'Connor noted current turnout gear costs and a replacement policy: “Turnout gear is about $4,000 a set now for just the coat and the pants… Everybody has to have 2 sets of gear, and we always have to have a maintainer,” he said, adding the department attempts to keep gear under a ten‑year service life.

On occupational health, O'Connor discussed PFAS and cancer risk related to protective clothing and combustion byproducts. He said manufacturers are working on PFAS‑free materials but warned of tradeoffs with heat protection and firefighter safety: “As the manufacturers start coming up with better alternatives for PFAS, we will buy turnout gear that is PFAS free. But right now, we just wanna make sure we're getting the right thing,” he said.

Chief O'Connor described the department’s mutual aid role and noted that a statewide brush‑fire mobilization last season required multiple deployments outside Beverly. He also described the new forestry truck and other resources the department has acquired for wildland/brush responses.

Councilors asked about overtime adequacy, mutual aid reliance, and training; O'Connor said overtime levels are adequate if staffing levels remain stable but that extended injuries or retirements can force further budget requests later in the year.

No formal vote on fire department appropriations occurred; the committee referred the full FY26 budget (Order 171) to the full council for a public hearing the following day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Beverly City Council (Budget Meeting) 06/17/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Chief O'Connor of the Beverly Fire Department told the finance and property committee that department incident volumes and response performance remain a focus as the department moves through the FY26 budget process.","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},6195267,"Planning department seeks staff and grant funding; raises data gaps on local shuttle ridership",1424,250000,1674000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c&start=250&end=1674","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c/thumbnail_250000.jpg","/articles/6195267/Beverly-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Planning-department-seeks-staff-and-grant-funding-raises-data-gaps-on-local-shuttle-ridership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195267-865ddefb0505b26fdd31f8d73aea4137/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155701&Signature=PL3LNRKvyu-ZtXRqrUCQHlvstLggEu930oO5JU-TJF2jR2dKS-CdZMNN2MaeOoqkmsvNmC8hjoz0wa9SlMQ76~S3ymxCvx-RY5WTsnW4fYNHBosuXMtpewjzVXkA7pvIk3BO571tEyJCCnoACfPulfyVp7AWhrvzmYc5Gq54rRSU6ko2EFdIzvIsvC5M1wAbvjwnmonavsFnSNF97FAbK9EZI3en4fqAhUeKSC88e9Cu-fQvKov06QAGMKnJQfixxfB6Fb2F0GEuq-jYMARzmVko1PD~CxrZu1PvvIP8srSZM36PHULkgia67x5wIor7weDuO7f1mknxU6pPbqHayA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Darlene Winn, planning director for Beverly City, told the finance and property committee on the committee of the whole that her office has largely stabilized after turnover but still carries one vacancy: “We only had 1 staff turnover last year, and we're still carrying that vacancy,” Winn said.

Winn said about 70% of the planning department’s budget pays staff, and the office supports more than 10 boards and commissions and handled nearly 350 permit applications last year, including almost 200 conservation commission permits. She said the department managed grants totaling roughly $170,000 in the prior year and has applications outstanding for more than $900,000, including an $850,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) request to create a housing rehabilitation program.

The CDBG award, if received, would be a one‑year grant (typically issued for up to 18 months) and Winn estimated the requested funds could support about 14 to 15 homeowner‑occupied one‑to‑four‑family rehabilitation projects. “If we get the CDBG grant, we would find out in early fall. That would be an October 1 start date,” Winn said, adding that the city would likely contract with an existing program operator and would expect to hire program staff funded by the grant.

On staffing, Winn described the associate planner role as an entry‑level technical position that helps staff two boards, process permit intake and meet nightly meeting demands. Councilor Sweeney pressed on operational impacts of the vacancy; Winn said the department is covering board staffing internally but that the vacancy reduces capacity for longer‑range projects and customer service. The FY26 proposal budgets six months of salary for the associate planner; Councilor Sweeney and others urged budgeting a full year to avoid an FY27 gap.

Winn also described ongoing policy projects and priorities: finishing a revised sign ordinance, updating accessory dwelling unit (ADU) zoning to align with state rules, starting an economic development action plan (12 proposals were received for a grant‑funded 12‑month project), and examining the city’s transportation programs and service mix.

On local transit, Winn said the Beverly shuttle (an MBTA supplemental services grant recipient) remains a fixed route with approximately 1,300 riders per month, back above pre‑COVID levels. She noted counting is limited because the shuttle provider does not capture on/off stop data. By contrast, the Salem Skipper on‑demand pilot operated by Via shows strong ridership and about 20% of its rides touch Beverly. “It’s a difficult question…there’s also the transportation services that the senior center provides, and how can we kind of look at this whole picture,” Winn said.

Several councilors asked about language access; Winn said her office had begun using on‑call translation and iPad translators for outreach and CDBG public hearings and is coordinating with the city’s DEI office to centralize services.

The committee took no final funding votes on department lines tonight; the overall budget (Order 171) was referred back to the full council for a public hearing the next evening.

The planning department presentation included specific program timelines tied to grant awards: the CDBG, if awarded, would start Oct. 1 and would require administrative oversight by the city and a contracted provider; the MBTA supplemental services grant has up to two remaining years for fare reimbursement to the city under current arrangements.","Darlene Winn, planning director for Beverly City, told the finance and property committee on the committee of the whole that her office has largely stabilized after turnover but still carries one vacancy: “We only had 1 staff turnover last year, and we're still carrying that vacancy.”",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6195256,"Police chief cites rising calls and staffing shortfall; urges fleet plan and highlights drone and clinician programs",1697,3355000,5052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c&start=3355&end=5052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3862683-b7897567949986194be1e1789f64209c/thumbnail_3355000.jpg","/articles/6195256/Beverly-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Police-chief-cites-rising-calls-and-staffing-shortfall-urges-fleet-plan-and-highlights-drone-and-clinician-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6195256-82346a86cc93080f8c6accfa1bf82821/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155701&Signature=LxpDLMuaPvFi3vq7775FTjqb7ABoGxDum7q8Zz0mhMLgHZoZKvZBaEzdk6rLo1U791xpqALfqSldndwvLjOAJZ25~AJWhkfYrcueBdu~TQDWX2dD0Qc1Nm7BNDMWtzB0LuQvvcjCQfB2E7KPBvUOxRw~zQWkWW~VVW~Lpg-VnlPGYu3l3UoSBVwSVRCA-98RbXx31mu2ep1HBGwcpr5T~Bjm~FLyQYOM6iHg8~tNphvdTk57hxlFYIlvTrP~VMeW3MsQ7loB03V23kJjreWuFofYFrWXWzjGH7wdOZ5M8LnLkOSGPgQIbv1b9WA1yedGmhBiLwWn-3xPNHQwcT9DpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Lorele Sher of the Beverly Police Department told the finance and property committee that calls for service have increased and that staffing and fleet planning are central issues in the FY26 budget discussion. “We have increased every year approximately 26,000 calls for service,” Sher said, adding a figure later in the presentation that rose to about 26,800 calls in the most recent year.

Sher said the department currently has 74 sworn officers and cited FBI benchmarks that suggest a city Beverly’s size would typically have about 86 or 87 officers: “We should probably have 86, 87 police officers. We have 74,” she said. Sher described how leaves, academy schedules and retirements affect overtime and patrol coverage and noted that the department has not needed to return to the council for additional funds mid‑year during her tenure: “I think this is my eleventh budget, presenting, and, we've never had to come back to the council since I've been here looking for further money during the year,” Sher said.

On fleet replacement, Sher and councilors discussed moving vehicle purchases to the capital plan and the need for a fleet replacement schedule. Historically the department replaced roughly three cruisers per year, dropping to one in the most recent cycle; Sher said the department will present a mileage‑based fleet plan and work with the mayor's office to identify funding sources.

The department described dispatch and rapid‑response scheduling changes that position transport or booking units so patrol officers can remain on their beats longer. Sher said those changes increased officers on the street in meaningful ways without increasing total headcount.

Sher and staff described grant‑funded programs the department now hosts: a regionally shared critical‑incident/mental‑health training center with a full‑time clinician (grant funded) and a Leahy grant clinician; both clinicians were credited with expanding training and assistance to officers and partners. Sher said those grants are important and warned that state funding fluctuations could jeopardize clinician positions.

On technology and equipment, Sher described a small drone program used for search and rescue and crowd monitoring; the department has purchased initial drones and is training staff to national certification standards for public‑safety use. “The drones are now under my preview…they're a necessary tool for some unfortunate circumstances,” she said, citing recent search‑and‑rescue uses.

Sher emphasized training obligations: Massachusetts Police Training Council (MPTC) mandates require officers to complete annual continuing education, firearms qualifications and certifications. She said the department will continue to manage overtime and staffing to meet those obligations and requested a coordinated fleet plan and capital approach for vehicle replacements.

The committee did not take a final vote on police appropriations tonight; the full FY26 budget was referred to the full council for a public hearing the next day.","Police Chief Lorele Sher told the committee Beverly saw about 26,000 calls for service last year, that the department has 74 officers versus an FBI benchmark of about 86–87, and that vehicle replacement is shifting to capital planning while drone use and grant‑funded clinician positions support response and mental‑health interventions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fire chief reports steady response performance, raises turnout‑gear PFAS concerns and overtime pressures

Planning department seeks staff and grant funding; raises data gaps on local shuttle ridership

Police chief cites rising calls and staffing shortfall; urges fleet plan and highlights drone and clinician programs