Beverly City Council Accepts $12.6M Federal COVID Relief Grant Unanimously

BEVERLY -- September 28, 2021, Beverly City Council unanimously accepts $12.6 million federal COVID relief grant amid debate over fiscal transparency. The council voted 9-0 at its September 28 meeting to accept the American Rescue Plan Act funds, which must be obligated by December 31, 2024, with Mayor Michael Cahill committing to a collaborative spending process and temporary staff to manage public reporting. Councilor Julie Ames cited state Division of Local Services data showing Beverly's FY2021 per-capita expenditures at $39.08, below Burlington ($53.32), Danvers ($47.12), and Gloucester ($46.70), and called for the city to post financial information in a user-friendly online format before funds are deployed. The council also set an October 18 public hearing on two Massachusetts Seaport Economic Council grants totaling $718,000, including $656,600 for reconstruction of the commercial fishing pier at Glover Wharf, with a $143,800 local match drawn from the Harbor Management Fund and reserve accounts. Council on Aging Director Marianne Holek told the council three homeless older adults had arrived at the senior center the prior Monday and urged that ARPA money be directed toward a housing outreach specialist and the restoration of program space currently occupied by the Board of Health.