Beverly Council removes stop signs at three intersections after split votes

The Beverly City Council took final action on Order 220 on Oct. 20, splitting the ordinance into two separate votes after debate and a solicitor review that removed previously proposed conditional language.

Following solicitor guidance that certain conditions could not be incorporated into the ordinance language, the council voted first to remove the stop sign at Kernwood Avenue (north and south at the intersection with Harris Avenue). That motion passed unanimously, 9–0.

Councilors then voted on the separate piece removing stop signs at McPherson Drive (south at the intersection of Federal Street) and River Street (north at the intersection with Federal Street). That motion passed, 6–3. Several councilors said their votes reflected differing concerns: some argued the removal improves traffic flow and reduces backups, while others worried about pedestrian safety and asked to wait for an upcoming MassDOT traffic signal to come online before removing those signs.

Solicitor Oldmixon advised the council to retract an earlier amendment that attempted to add operational conditions to the ordinance because those conditions could not be part of the ordinance itself; parking and traffic conditions will be handled administratively outside the ordinance.

What happens next: the ordinance changes are final as adopted and the city will implement signage changes and administrative crosswalk/crossing signage as appropriate; councilors said traffic patterns will be monitored and the council can revisit the changes if needed.