PEABODY — The Peabody City Council moved efficiently through a full agenda Tuesday night, approving a special permit for a Lowell Street contractor’s shop and adopting an updated citywide fee listing, which was a major administrative item.
During the city’s 2024 ordinance recodification, specific fee amounts were removed from the ordinance language and were to be established instead by council resolution.
Councilor Peter McGinn explained that his earlier motion had requested that the clerk compile a consolidated list of all current fees.
“This has been a loose end on the recodification process, which should be closed out,” he said.
The clerk’s office provided an updated listing, which the council approved unanimously.
McGinn noted that the new process allows the council to update fees more easily without requiring full ordinance amendments.
The public hearing involved a special permit application from Lowell Holdings LLC to operate a contractor’s shop at 49–51 Lowell Street, in the city’s BC zoning district.
Attorney John Keilty, representing the client, presented revised plans incorporating requests made at the prior meeting. These updates included a defined dumpster location, additional landscaping to meet downtown design standards, and the addition of a double catch basin in the central parking area.
McGinn, who had met with the applicant and reviewed comments from Community Development, the Conservation Commission, and the Department of Public Services, noted considerable recent improvements to what had been a dilapidated property.
He cited its “high visibility near Leather City Common” as a reason for careful review but said the updated plans met the city’s requirements.
“I am in support of this application,” he said.
The council voted 10–0 to approve the permit with several conditions, including, no overnight storage of vehicles, deliveries limited to vans or similarly sized vehicles, no outdoor storage or contractor work outside the building, dumpster screening consistent with zoning guidelines, landscaping compliant with Main Street subdistrict design standards, signage subject to zoning requirements, and hours of operation set at 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
Councilors used their time near the end of the meeting to recognize city departments and community members.
Councilor Michael Higgins praised DPS Director Will Pollitz and Kevin Kelly for quickly addressing a water main leak and road repair on Winona Street without needing a formal council work order.
“I just wanted to thank them for the outstanding work they did before the holiday, and they made some residents on Winona Street pretty happy,” he said.
Councilor Craig Welton highlighted the recent dedication of a memorial bench for Jason Bernard, a young resident who died earlier this year.
“I really appreciate the City making it a priority to honor the legacy of this young man,” he said.
The bench, installed at the Brown School by Parks & Recreation, was unveiled before a crowd that included several councilors.
Welton also congratulated the Peabody Youth Football Spartans on their championship season.
“This is the first year that I didn’t coach, and the first year they won the championship, so that tells you all that you need to know right there,” he joked.
Council President Julie Daigle requested a report from either the Finance Department or the Police Department detailing all parking-related fees collected under Chapter 19 to assist in upcoming budget preparations.
Councilors Jon Turco and Welton jointly requested that PMLP install a streetlight at 32 Aberdeen Avenue.
