Beverly Council Eyes April Vote on $26.5 Million City Hall Renovation Budget

BEVERLY — February 18, 2025 — Beverly City Council hears $8M water meter plan, City Hall budget vote expected in April. Mayor William Cahill and City Engineer Lisa Chandler briefed the full council on Tuesday on a sweeping infrastructure agenda, including an $8 million city-wide water meter replacement covering approximately 14,000 properties — to be funded through enterprise funds and targeted for an 18-month installation starting as early as April — and a $26.5 million City Hall renovation project whose formal budget request Cahill said would come before the council "in the next few meetings," with April cited as the realistic target. The council voted 8-0 on final passage of three ordinances, including a ban on pet shops selling live animals, new parking restrictions on Water Street South and Wellman Street, and a municipal officer indemnification ordinance. On the Central Library, the city has committed roughly $2.25 million to replace aging HVAC systems and add insulation, with Library Director Allison Babin involved in scheduling to avoid public closures. The council also confirmed a full slate of board appointments, all 8-0, and set a March 3 public hearing on a National Grid petition to install underground utilities at Cabot and Hale Streets.