Beverly City Council approves over $200,000 in grants, donation in unanimous votes

BEVERLY -- October 4, 2021, Beverly City Council unanimously accepted more than $200,000 in grants and a private donation at its October 4 meeting. The largest item was a $150,000 state earmark secured through Representative Jerry Parisella's office to consolidate and modernize the Beverly Fire Department's fire alarm dispatch system, which currently spans four separate locations. The council also accepted a $49,680 annual Municipal Road Safety Program grant managed by Sergeant Michael Henneberry for DWI and crosswalk enforcement, and a $1,000 donation from resident James Maguire for police uniforms. Before the grant votes, Dean Berg, executive director of the newly formed nonprofit Green Beverly, presented the organization's sustainability education mission to the council, drawing on a quote from a summer intern: "It gives me hope." Mayor Michael Cahill endorsed the group and said Sustainability Director Arena Keith will present a one-year update at the October 18 meeting. The council also voted unanimously to delegate response authority to the city solicitor for an open meeting law complaint filed by Joseph Kane on September 19.