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CITY OF BEVERLY
PUBLIC MEETING MINUTES
Board: Harbor Management Authority
Date: April 15, 2026
Location: Beverly Police Station – Community Room and via Google Meet
Members Present: Chair Paul Earl, Vice Chair Scott Freeman, Todd Callaghan, Joe Crowell, David Lane, Todd Rotondo, Danielle Spang, David Suminsby, Scott White
Members Absent:
Others Present: Jeff Radican, Peter Dickman (Harbormaster), Sean Ciancarelli (Marina Manager)
Recorder: Brett Bauer
Earl calls the meeting to order at 6:45 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Callaghan motions to approve January 28, 2026 minutes - seconded by White. The motion is approved, 7-0, with Rotondo and Spang abstaining. Callaghan motions to approve September 10, 2025 minutes - seconded by Spang. The motion is approved, 6-0, with Lane, Rotondo, and White abstaining. Callaghan motions to approve November 19, 2025 minutes - seconded by Freeman. The motion is approved, 6-0, with Lane, Rotondo, and Suminsby abstaining.
Financials
Earl reports they had 15 open spots for kayaks last month and this month they have 11. Karen Milo is working on it. 21 kayak customers remained unpaid last month, but by this month it is just 5. $14k has been received on the commercial side. On the recreational side, Ciancarelli has been in contact about the process to sell the sailboat; Auctions International is the website that will be used. Based on ads for similar boats, Earl hopes to get about $6k for it.
FY2027 Budget
Earl has drafted a budget assuming full marinas on both sides and three boats for the winter. Nothing has been budgeted for receivables towards electricity. Dinghies will stay the same. He is assuming 129 kayak spots will be filled, though they have capacity for 134. He is assuming they do three more memorial benches. For expenses, Earl believes they are more protected from energy costs rising because of how the city purchases. Earl has made some assumptions about expenses for projects.
New Customer for Commercial Float
Jeff Redican has been on the waiting list since 2018. Jeff's boat is the Chellie Marie. Currently, he docks at Beverly Port Marina and has been there five years. He generally pays in advance so that he doesn't end up owing money. He primarily lobsters right out of Beverly Harbor. Earl asks if he has any questions about the contract and confirms that it's a 12-month cycle for the fiscal year (July 1st to the end of June). He fishes alone and is permitted for 800 traps, but generally fishes with about 600.
Harbormaster Update
Dickman reports we had the first Dockwa reservation yesterday. Permit bills are late going out, but he hopes to have them out in the next two weeks. The railroad bridge opening has been down at times, and some of the Bartlett boats have been tied up at Glover Wharf because of this. Dickman and his staff did trainings for oil spill response and emergency response for larger boats. Boater education training is now required for anyone born after 1989. Callaghan asks if there is a boat length or power threshold that requires the license. He has continued to do his derelict trap talk and has had good responses from that. He also participated in the storytelling project recently for Beverly 400+. White notes that the Mass Bay Safety Committee is meeting next week.
Facilities
Ciancarelli reports he is still trying to get pedestal upgrades scheduled for the two higher powered pedestals. Karen Milo is working the kayak rack spots and waitlist. A couple of people have asked about dinghies. The hoist pier construction is well under way. No completion date has been discussed yet, but Dickman notes that the commercial fishermen are aware the hoist will likely not be available at the beginning of the season. Crowell notes that Birarelli's have a fuel truck now and could provide fuel to commercial customers. He asks Dickman what he needs for fueling to happen there. Dickman responds that proof of insurance is needed.
Commercial rates
Earl summarizes the discussion from the last meeting. Rotondo motions to keep the commercial rates at $80 per foot and raise the administration fee to $250 with a note indicating their intention is to consider a rate increase next year. Seconded by Lane. There is some discussion about how much notice they should give before raising rates.. A vote is called and the motion is approved, 9-0. Earl asks Ciancarelli if they have a timeline for the baluster installation by DPW. Ciancarelli will contact the electrician.
Harbor Fest
Earl sent out an initial email, and he's heard back from 25 of the 40 vendors/exhibitors. He's open to any ideas for new food vendors and entertainment.
Dockwa
Earl reports that the current contract runs through sometime in May. An alternative more focused on hourly tie-ups rather than reservations is being reviewed for possible testing next season. It would be some effort to change over but Earl would like to have a subcommittee take a look in the fall/winter at a comparison between the two services.
Beverly 400+
Rotondo reports that there is a lot of interest and the events are exceeding his expectations.
Glover Wharf Upgrades
Earl met with the Main Streets Design Committee and discussed was focused on making the concrete apron of Glover Wharf look better. HMA could consider contributing money and the Mission Boathouse restaurant may also contribute for aesthetic and functional improvements. He is waiting to receive electronic renderings, and an interesting suggestion was for a mural on the concrete with a protective covering. Spang will connect with Earl about a date for a Knot Spot reception.
E-engine charging project
Callaghan reached out about a potential grant program but has not heard back. There are some groups interested in electrifying commercial fleets.
MCJROTC Scuba Dive Training Program
Earl asks if they would consider contributing $2500 to this program, just as they did for the diversity sailing program. Rotondo adds that the program intends to train divers who can then potentially help with the derelict trap program. The MCJROTC has always supplied volunteers for Harbor Fest. Callaghan motions to approve $2500 to Dive KS to train high school students for certification - seconded by Rotondo. 9-0.
Adjournment
There being no further business before the Harbor Management Authority this evening, Crowell makes a motion to adjourn. Spang seconds. Motion to adjourn is approved (9-0).
The HMA Meeting is adjourned at 8:05 pm.