Beverly Council Opts Out of State Mosquito Spray Program, Approves Three Grants

BEVERLY — May 17, 2021 — Beverly City Council unanimously opts out of state mosquito spraying program and approves three grants at May 17 meeting. The council voted to withdraw from the Massachusetts General Law Chapter 252 Section 2a program, which Commissioner of Public Works Mike Collins called a "blunt instrument" not designed for communities like Beverly that already belong to regional mosquito control districts. The council also approved a $64,500 MassDOT Aeronautics grant and a $57,160 FAA COVID-19 relief grant for Beverly Regional Airport, where Manager Gloria Bullion reported no elevated PFAS levels at a 2009 firefighting foam spill site, though retesting is underway due to inconclusive lab results. A $50,000 Metropolitan Area Planning Council grant for building energy retrofit outreach was also approved as part of the city's joint climate action plan with Salem, Resilient Together. Beverly Main Street Executive Director Jean Wallace warned the council the downtown organization — which she credited with helping attract $200 million in investment since 2010 — is at a financial crossroads after a $92,000 income drop, requesting the city raise its $25,000 service agreement to $50,000 and provide $100,000 annually for two years from ARPA funds. Human Rights Committee Chair Kasia Johnson told the council she is the only person of color on the 11-member body, calling the situation "not okay," and the council unanimously approved the appointment of Mindy DiPpolito to the committee. Councilor David Flaherty closed the meeting by announcing he will not seek re-election after decades of service dating to the 1995 charter commission.