City Council – Jan 5, 2026

Monday, January 5, 2026

Where: Not listed on the city's Agenda Center
Time: Not listed

Recordings of City Council meetings: BevCam (opens in new tab).

What was decided

The council elected Matthew J. St. Hilaire as Vice President and he took over presiding. Members set public hearings for January 20, 2026 on a $25,895,000 City Hall loan authorization, a $2,000,000 debt stabilization transfer, and Community Preservation Act funding for Independence Park Renovations. Several appointments and reappointments were approved or referred to committees, including a grant request and committee liaison assignments.

Decisions recorded

Elected Matthew J. St. Hilaire as Vice President of the Council, 7-0.
Set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 7:50 PM on Order #010, a $25,895,000 Loan Authorization for City Hall and former Police Station annex renovation, 7-0.
Set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 8:10 PM on Order #010A, a $2,000,000 Debt stabilization transfer request, 7-0.
Referred Order #011, appointment of Donna Matarazzo as City Accountant, to the Committee on Finance and Property.
Referred Order #012, appointment of John Reynolds to the Veterans' Advisory Committee, to the Committee on Public Services.
Referred Order #013, reappointment of Joanne Panunzio to the Trustees of Public Library, to the Committee on Public Services.
Referred Order #014, reappointment of Colleen Michaels to the Trustees of Public Library, to the Committee on Public Services.
Referred Order #015, reappointment of Mary Behrle to the Trustees of Public Library, to the Committee on Public Services.
Referred Order #016, reappointment of Bryant Ayles as Director of Municipal Finance, to the Committee on Finance and Property.
Referred Order #017, an $850,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities for housing rehabilitation, to the Committee on Finance and Property.
Approved Order #001, appointing Councilor Houseman and Councilor Feldman as liaisons to the Clean Energy Advisory Committee, 7-0.
Approved Order #002, appointing Councilor Houseman and Councilor St. Hilaire to the Financial Forecast Committee, 7-0.
Approved Order #003, appointing Councilor Flowers to the Beverly Human Rights Committee, 7-0.
Approved Order #004, appointing Councilor St. Hilaire and Councilor Sonia as liaisons to the Beverly Police Department Community Advisory Council, 7-0.
Approved Order #005, appointing Councilor Crowley as Council Representative to the Economic Community and Development Council, 7-0.
Approved Order #006, appointing Councilor Crowley and Councilor Mullady as liaisons to the Beverly School Committee, 7-0.
Approved Order #007, appointing Councilor Rotondo and Councilor Spang to the Harbor Management Authority, 7-0.
Approved Order #008, appointments to City Council Subcommittees and designation of a Standing Chair, 7-0.
Set a public hearing for January 20, 2025, at 7:30 PM on Order #009, Community Preservation Committee Out of Cycle CPA Funding Recommendation for Independence Park Renovations, 7-0.

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City of Beverly

Regular City Council Meeting

Public Meeting Minutes

Monday, January 5, 2026, 12:00 PM

Beverly High School Auditorium, 100 Sohier Road.

[Stamp: CITY OF BEVERLY, RECEIVED AND RECORDED, CITY CLERK'S OFFICE, 2026 JAN -7 A 10:12]

Steven Crowley, City Council Vice President, called the meeting to order at 12:31PM. City Clerk, Lisa Kent, took attendance by roll call.

Members Present: Keith Sonia, Todd Rotondo, Danielle Spang, Steven Crowley, Scott Houseman, Kathleen Feldman, and Matthew St. Hilaire.

Members Absent: Julie Flowers, John Mullady

Recorded by: Kathleen Dupont, Assistant City Clerk.

Councilor Crowley led the pledge of allegiance.

Presentations, Awards, and Memorials:

City Council President Flowers

Vice President Crowley noted President Flowers had come down with the Flu and was not able to attend however sends her best wishes. Additionally, President Flowers will be giving her inaugural remarks at the next regular meeting on January 20th.

Election of Vice President of the City Council

A motion to elect Matthew J. St. Hilaire, Ward 6 Councilor, as Vice President of the Council was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and motion carried (7-0).

At 12:34 PM Vice President Elect St. Hilaire took over presiding the meeting.

Communications from His Honor the Mayor:

Order #010 - A Loan Authorization in the amount of $25,895,000 for the renovation and rehabilitation of City Hall and the adjacent former Police Station annex.

A motion to set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 7:50 PM was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and motion carried (7-0).

Order #010A - A Debt stabilization transfer request of $2,000,000 for the renovation and rehabilitation of City Hall and the adjacent former Police Station annex.

A motion to set a public hearing for January 20, 2026, at 8:10 PM was made and seconded. A vote was taken, and motion carried (7-0).

Order #011 - An Appointment for Donna Matarazzo, 47 Elmcrest Rd, North Andover to serve as City Accountant.

Referred to the Committee on Finance and Property.

Order #012 - An Appointment for John Reynolds, 162 Common Lane to serve on the Veterans’ Advisory Committee.

Referred to the Committee on Public Services.

Order #013 - A Reappointment for Joanne Panunzio, 31 Old Planters Road to serve on the Trustees of Public Library.

Referred to the Committee on Public Services.

Order #014 - A Reappointment for Colleen Michaels, 18 Madison Avenue to serve on the Trustees of Public Library.

Referred to the Committee on Public Services.

Order #015 - A Reappointment for Mary Behrle, 21 Cobblers Lane to serve on the Trustees of Public Library.

Referred to the Committee on Public Services.

Order #016 - A Reappointment for Bryant Ayles to serve as Director of Municipal Finance.

Referred to the Committee on Finance and Property.

Order #017 - An $850,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities to be used to support housing rehabilitations projects in the City of Beverly for low to moderate income residents that qualify.

Referred to the Committee on Finance and Property.

Communications, from other City Officers and Boards:

Order #001 - President Flowers - An appointment for Ward Four Councilor Scott D. Houseman and Ward Five Councilor Kathleen M. Feldman to serve as the City Council liaisons to the Clean Energy Advisory Committee.