Beverly City Council Accepts Donations, Honors Housing Authority Director at Remote Session

BEVERLY -- April 5, 2021, Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill reported 199 city COVID-19 deaths and a record-low 1.853 percent municipal bond rate in his annual State of the City address to the City Council on April 5. Cahill told councilors that each one-eighth of one percent increase in the borrowing rate would have cost Beverly taxpayers $1.4 million in additional interest, and cited Standard and Poor's reaffirmation of the city's AA-plus bond rating as validation of the administration's budgeting approach. The council unanimously approved two commendatory resolutions, one honoring retiring Beverly Housing Authority Executive Director Sue Carlton after 43 years of service, another recognizing the Beverly Boys Travel Basketball Association's youth teams for a combined 29-and-1 record during the pandemic. The council also accepted a $5 donation from Affiliated Managers Group for police uniforms and 76 child car booster seats from Toyota's Buckle Up for Life program for the fire department. Charter Review Committee Chair Tim Flaherty announced a public hearing for April 15 at 7 p.m., with the committee considering a four-year mayoral term and expanded at-large School Committee representation.