Council approves $8 million feasibility bond, ARPA transfer for demolition and accepts deed in lieu for tax-foreclosed lot

The Peabody City Council on April 10 approved three finance committee recommendations: a favorable recommendation for an $8 million bond order to fund a feasibility study for the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School, a transfer of $170,979 from ARPA interest funds to a building-demolition account, and acceptance of a deed in lieu of payment for a tax-delinquent unbuildable lot.

Finance Committee Chair Councilor McGinn reported that the feasibility-study request for the Veterans Memorial High School—presented as an $8,000,000 bond order—came with a schedule of deliverables related to MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority) eligibility. The mayor described an anticipated construction horizon of roughly four to five years, though he emphasized no firm timeline. School-building-committee members present included principal Brooke Randall and committee representatives Herb Levine and Jared Hockman; councilors Gamache, Daigle and Peach were noted as council members on the school-building committee and Councilor Tom Gould was later referenced among committee participants.

Councilor Melville moved that the finance committee give a favorable recommendation for the $8 million bond order; the motion was advanced to full council and carried on a roll-call vote recorded as 9–0.

The council also approved a transfer request of $170,979 from an ARPA interest account to a building-demolition account to cover higher-than-expected site remediation costs for two city-owned buildings on Berry Street. The funds address contamination discovered during demolition work; the mayor said the project meets guidelines for neighborhood cleanup. Councilor Gould moved the transfer; the full council approved the finance committee’s recommendation 9–0.

Finally, the council accepted a deed in lieu of payment for a parcel described in committee materials as 2 Benavideo Circle (transcript spelling uncertain). City Treasurer Ross Teitelbaum explained the parcel is an unbuildable lot with a significant past-due tax balance; the estate/trust holding title has no living trustees or heirs able to resolve the liability. The treasurer said the property’s assessed value is roughly $6,500 and the outstanding taxes total about $101,000; with no other options for collection, staff recommended accepting the deed in lieu. Councilor Rosignol moved the committee recommendation to accept the deed; the full council approved the action 9–0.

All three finance items passed without recorded dissent. Councilors noted the MSBA timing constraints for the school feasibility study and that the demolition funds came from ARPA interest rather than the operating budget. The deed-acceptance action will allow the city to take title and address tax liability and site cleanup as appropriate.