Beverly Council Approves EV Charging Stations, Grants, and Farewell to Ward 6 Councilor

BEVERLY -- November 9, 2020, Beverly City Council unanimously approved a downtown electric vehicle charging initiative and two state grants totaling $78,000 at its November 9 remote meeting. Mayor Michael Cahill won council backing to issue a request for proposals for a 10-year lease of four parking spaces at the 11 Pond Street municipal lot to a private vendor who would install Level 3 DC fast-charging stations capable of an 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, the only such infrastructure planned between Peabody and Salisbury. The council also accepted a $45,000 Baker-Polito administration planning grant to study accessory dwelling units and a $33,000 Recycling Dividends Program grant, the highest amount Beverly has received from that program. The meeting closed with Ward 6 Councilor John Freitas announcing his resignation, effective December 31, after his family's move to Ward 2; the eight remaining councilors will appoint his replacement. The council introduced new Sustainability Director Zarina Keith, whose position is 80 percent funded in its first year by an anonymous private donor.