Votes at a glance: Beverly council approves grants, appointments, public-works petitions and ceremonial resolutions
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Summary
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Beverly City Council approved a range of orders including grants for cultural and emergency-response programs, a T‑Mobile lease, two National Grid petitions to install underground facilities/poles, appointments, and a ceremonial resolution honoring Charles Bucci. Most council votes were unanimous (8-0).
The Beverly City Council on Monday considered and approved multiple items, including grant acceptances, appointments, petitions from National Grid, a cell-telecom lease, and a ceremonial resolution. Most measures passed unanimously.
Key outcomes
- Resolution honoring Charles Bucci (Order 227): Councilor Saint Hilaire read a resolution recognizing Charles Bucci’s 90th birthday (Oct. 4, 1930). The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carrying, 8-0.
- National Urban Search and Rescue grant (Order 231): The council accepted a $1,537,311 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA to support Massachusetts Task Force 1 based in Beverly. The Finance & Property subcommittee recommended approval; the council approved the order.
- FEMA Assistance to Firefighters grant (Order 232): The council accepted a $251,119.90 Assistance to Firefighters grant to acquire 70 sets of wildland personal protective equipment and fund training; the order was approved after a committee report.
- Mass Cultural Council grant (Order 228): The council accepted a $24,600 Mass Cultural Council grant to support the Beverly Local Cultural Council.
- Title III-B Senior Care grant (Order 229): The council accepted a $7,500 Title III-B grant to support the Council on Aging’s outreach program.
- Lease agreement with T-Mobile Northeast LLC (Order 230): The council approved a lease agreement for cell equipment (details in the lease file); the City explained the lease includes an escalator clause and is part of ongoing telecom negotiations.
- National Grid petitions: The council held and then acted on public hearings for multiple National Grid petitions. Petition 31132319 (West Dane Street joint pole) and petition 31175552 (Cliff Street underground trench) were granted and referred back to the Committee on Public Services for implementation steps; other National Grid petitions were set for future public hearings.
- Off-street/handicapped parking ordinance (Order 206): Councilors approved final passage of an amendment designating reserved handicapped parking spaces at specific Atlantic and Orchard Street locations; the council recorded the vote as 8-0.
- Appointments and election warrant: The council approved several appointments (e.g., commission on disabilities, parks and recreation committee, zoning board of appeals) and accepted an election warrant for the Nov. 4, 2025 municipal election.
Process notes and votes
Several items were first considered in subcommittee on Finance & Property and Public Services before council action. Committee votes recorded in subcommittee were noted in the meeting and the council approved the committee recommendations on the floor, typically by unanimous voice vote (8-0).
Actions that require further steps
- Some items (notably the first reading of the stop-sign ordinance, Order 220) require a second reading and final vote at the council’s next regular meeting on Oct. 20.
- Several National Grid petitions were referred to the Public Services committee or set for future public hearings (dates provided in committee recommendations), and the Department of Public Services will coordinate restoration work and signage where appropriate.
The full text of each order, grant award documents, lease agreement, and committee reports are available from the City Clerk and the committee minutes attached to the Oct. 6 meeting record.