Human Rights Committee – Apr 9, 2026

CITY of BEVERLY

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

191 Cabot Street Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 Phone (978) 921-6000

Mayor    Michael P. Cahill Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Director    Wangari Fahari Chairperson    Purvi Harley

Members Alyssa Rayman-Read (Vice-Chair) Mindy D'Ippolito (Secretary) Eric Knudsen Gabrielle Montevecchi Chief John LeLacheur Carole Rein

MINUTES

Meeting Location:

Apr 9, 2026 7:00-8:30 PM, Beverly City Hall – Conference Room A (3rd Fl)

1. Call to order/role call: Members present: Purvi Harley, Eric Knudsen, Gabrielle Montevecchi, Chief LeLacheur, Carole Rein, Mindy D'Ippolito, Alyssa (late) Also in attendance: Councilor Flowers, Julia Long (Cahill Chief of Staff), Wangari Fahari, DEIB director, new member Semih Bulbul (not confirmed yet)
2. Feb 2026 minutes approval. Motion to approve, motion passes 6-0
3. Active bystander training update: facilitated by Eric and Carole March 14th at the library, had over 30 people, feedback was to make event more accessible and have more time to connect with each other. Positive feedback from participants. Will cap at 40 participants. Future events should use HRC logo for promotional materials. - Reimbursements: city has a form to fill out, Chief can forward the form, committee chair sign, send it to Wangari and Martha. Wangari said to include a narrative about the expenses. - Chief motioned to reimburse Carole $110 for copies and name tags, motion passes 6-0
4. Administration - Committee Member changes
   • Welcome Mr. Semih Bulbul, awaiting confirmation at upcoming City Council meeting
   • Term-related membership changes 1. Mindy terming out, this is last meeting 2. Carole needs to be reappointed, has reached the end of her first term 3. Gabrielle reached end of third term, Dr. Cushing and Dr. Morgan are working to identify a replacement candidate, this is last meeting 4. Alyssa and Purvi terms expiring, not seeking second term, this is last meeting for both
   • Current chair provided interim planning suggestions given that with those terming out the committee cannot meet quorum, therefore HRC cannot meet until either seats are filled, or the quorum rules are changed by the city (HRC has long requested a change in quorum rules to have a quorum be more than half of seated members, not of available seats)
   • Will schedule a brief meeting Thursday 7pm to approve minutes
   • Officer Elections-Purvi motions to establish interim chair until quorum issue is resolved, Alyssa nominates Eric to be interim chair, motion passes 6-0, Eric elected interim chair
   • May/June meeting prior to summer break -cannot meet until more seats are filled to achieve quorum, or quorum rule is changed
5. Subcommitee Updates-none
6. Incoming considerations for HRC support, next steps as appropriate - Events - review the 'ask' of HRC, discuss/determine participation
   • Autism Awareness event – April 16, City Hall 5pm- ask for speaking/tabling, reached out to public school, other community participants. Mindy to attend and can table and read the land acknowledgement
   • MA Commission for LGBTQ Youth, Montserrat College of Art and HRC co-hosting - May 1 –5-8pm at Montserrat College of Art. This is a community conversation about LGBTQ youth needs and goals beyond education/graduation. They are looking for food donations, and organizations to table. Alyssa helping to organize. Councilor Flowers provided list of possible businesses that might be interested.
   • Possible Screening of Ain't No Back. No date or details yet.
   • Beverly Social Justice Book Club, next meeting is Sunday April 19 2-4 at the library.
   • April 21 6pm Flock (Q & A) at City Hall. This is a joint public meeting, so ends promptly at 6:45.
   • North shore pride parade June 27 -Purvi to coordinate and march.
   • Pride flag raising June 11th at 5:30-Chief to attend
   • Juneteenth event on June 18th at 5:30-Chief to attend
   • April 19th 10-2 Touch a Truck at Endicott for children with sensory sensitivities-no lights or sirens.
   • Tax exempt status (Chief) city is so that may include the HRC
   • Councilor Flowers noted that 5 is a very hard time for events, many may want to attend but unable due to work
   • CODA movie playing at Cabot Theater Tuesday 14th, reception 6 and movie at 7
   • Race Amity Day June 14th, Beverly multifaith coaltion, Heathmere, HRC will co-sponsor but does not have a member who is able to attend
   • Updates from DEIB office-Race Amity Day, Pride flag raising and Juneteen even as above
   • Trans day of visibility was held in Danvers; it is important for Beverly to recognize/hold event for trans day of visibility
   • Chief LaLecheur is receiving an award on May 7th from the Anti Defamation League
   • Community Open Forum (at-large community discussion if/as needed; no committee deliberation/votes)
7. Update from Councilor Flowers: - The school district is moving to replace Principal Montevecchi's seat - She met with city solicitor who stated that HRC quorum rules can legally be changed for this committee (not all committees are eligible), suggested the ordinance change to have a minimum of seated members-an ordinance change takes two meetings. Question from HRC: what about including other suggestions about changes to ordinance to provide more clarity of function and relationship with DEIB office. Discussion that while all are worthy efforts, the quorum can happen more quickly on its own, so agree this is the best course of action.
8. Adjourned 8:36

This meeting takes place on the unceded ancestral lands of the Naumkeag and Pawtucket bands of the Massachuset Tribe, from whom the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took its name. With deep respect and gratitude, we acknowledge the Indigenous caretakers of these lands and waters who have lived here for thousands of years—and who live here in diverse Indigenous communities today.