Beverly City Council approves four grants, sets demolition hearing for blighted property

BEVERLY -- August 24, 2020, Beverly City Council approves four grants totaling more than $265,000 at special remote session. The council, presided over by Council President Paul Guanci, unanimously approved a $187,500 state climate action plan grant shared with Salem, a $165,909 federal grant for fire department radio equipment, a $5,000 public poetry installation on Cabot Street, and a $7,500 library health programming grant. The council also voted to set a September 8 public hearing on a $150,000 reserve fund transfer to demolish the long-blighted structure at 11 Charles Street, after the original contractor backed out following a March appropriation. City Clerk Lisa Kent and new Assistant City Clerk Christine Dixon, elected by the council Monday as clerk of committees, reported nearly 8,000 mail ballots sent and 376 early in-person votes cast ahead of the September 1 primary. One item did not clear: a hawkers and peddlers license tied to a Beverly Bootstraps food truck was held after Councilor Scott Houseman flagged a seven-year-old reckless driving offense on the applicant's record.