A year after a racial equity audit showed stark disparities in income and opportunities for people of color in Beverly, city officials say they are ready to act on the audit’s recommendations. The consultant who conducted the audit told the City Council Monday night that the company will work with the city to hold workshops […]

I’m writing to invite my neighbors in Beverly to seize a unique opportunity — and to recognize the risks we face if we do not. Recently, the City Council approved the “friendly taking” of property on Cabot Street by eminent domain at a cost of $8 million. I have heard this and recent zoning changes […]

“Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen — an ADU proponent — told Patch on Tuesday that Beverly is an ideal city for expanded ADUs to be one more way to increase housing opportunities without imposing new development. “When you look at our housing plans, our master plan, all the community meetings that went into those,” Bowen […]

“While most Councilors said the restrictions — in conjunction with new proposed citywide design standards — will help curb overdevelopment and preserve the unique character of downtown, Councilor Hannah Bowen, who opposed both the height restrictions, said that they would not accomplish the stated goals while they could limit affordable housing opportunities and send a […]

City councilors are criticizing Varian’s latest plan to clean up its contaminated site, saying it appears that the company has chosen some methods “primarily to save the responsible parties money.” In comments that they unanimously approved this week, councilors referred to some of Varian’s proposed solutions as “business as usual” and said they were “alarmed” […]

While Cahill said during a neighborhood traffic meeting last month that there was nothing the city could really do to prevent drivers from cutting through the neighborhoods, City Councilor At-Large Hannah Bowen this week suggested programs that might “take single-occupancy car trips in Ryal Side and downtown off the roads.” “Whether that’s bike share, whether that’s shuttle […]

“As a City Council, we echo the calls of the community members most directly impacted by the Varian site contamination: those who live, work, learn, and play nearby,” the letter said. “We are united as a city in seeking full remediation of the site and stand ready to work with you to accomplish the Temporary […]

The City Council is considering whether to approve raises for mayor, City Council and School Committee. Under the proposal, the mayor’s salary would increase from $120,000 to $145,000; City Council members’ from $11,733 to $14,000; and School Committee members’ from $5,867 to $8,000. Also, the City Council president’s pay would go from $12,333 to $15,000, […]

In a letter to the City Council on Tuesday, the former councilors said the makeup of a proposed audit committee could leave the city “open to financial mismanagement and ruin.” Former City Councilor Joyce McMahon read the letter to the City Council on Tuesday during a public hearing on the charter review committee recommendations at […]

More than 160 political, religious and social leaders across the state on March 28 tuned in to “Two Steps Forward Against Anti-Semitism: a Virtual Summit for Massachusetts Mayors and Town Officials,” sponsored by the Jewish education group the Lappin Foundation of Beverly, with Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt as honorary chairman. Beverly City Councilor Hannah Bowen […]