Beverly council presses mayor on Republic Services strike response, votes 6-0 to enter executive session on litigation

Beverly City Councilors on Tuesday pressed Mayor Mike Cahill for details about the city’s response to a labor stoppage at Republic Services that has disrupted curbside trash and recycling collection across the region, and they voted 6-0 to enter an executive session to discuss pending litigation against a Republic affiliate.

Mayor Mike Cahill said city staff have been working “full time” to mitigate impacts and thanked residents and municipal departments for their response. “This has not any part of it been easy. And people have been incredibly supportive,” Cahill said, describing targeted pickups by city crews, two municipally run recycling drop-off days, and ongoing pressure on Republic to restore service.

Councilors framed the discussion around several practical concerns: why Republic has resumed curbside recycling in some neighboring communities but not Beverly; how to expand recycling access for residents who cannot transport materials to drop-off sites; public-health risks tied to overflowing commercial dumpsters; options for short-term alternative haulers; and contract provisions for future service procurement.

The mayor told councilors the city has…