Council approves $190,000 fire overtime transfer

Select Board · Meeting of May 4, 2026

BEVERLY — The South Essex Sewerage District warned Beverly officials it needs relief from the state's Proposition 2½ tax cap to fund a $390 million, 10-year capital plan, with Beverly's sewer assessment potentially rising by about $2 million. Board Chairman Mike Parsons said the district "faces some really significant financial challenges that have the potential to limit our ability to function for our mandate." City Council Budget Analyst Jerry Perry backed the district's underlying need but said the draft legislation lacks oversight, warning "it needs to be included to protect the ratepayers." The council took no vote on the request. Separately, the council approved a $190,000 transfer for Fire Department overtime 8-0 after Chief Peter O'Connor cited 12 firefighters out on injury leave, and approved a GoNetSpeed underground fiber permit 7-1 with 11 conditions after Councilor Rotundo raised process concerns.

In the full story:

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• Beverly's community access TV: Beverly City Council meeting, May 4, 2026
• The complete report: 1,040 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of May 4, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.