Peabody takes steps toward stability
Staff writer
After weeks of resignations and uncertainty, Peabody took several steps Monday toward rebuilding city government.
At the end of their meeting, council members unanimously appointed Trevor Hamm to fill one of two remaining council vacancies.
The action come after a turbulent month in which Mayor Kevin Burke and council member Julia Ensminger resigned, leaving the city scrambling to fill vacancies and maintain normal operations.
Rodney Hague was appointed to one of the vacant seats last month.
Hamm’s appointment leaves the council one seat short of full membership.
Hamm, who returned to Peabody last year after spending 16 years in and around the Navy, said he sought the appointment because he wanted to help improve his hometown.
“I want to help make some change,” he said, “try and get it back to what my mind thinks of this town.”
Hamm said recent turmoil in city government also influenced his decision.
“I feel like there’s just been a lot of unknowns and just a lot of people stepping down at critical times,” he said. “I think right now is kind of a critical time for Peabody.”
Council member Linda Martinez said Hamm and Jennifer Bush were the two applicants who most impressed her.
Hamm’s eyes are on stronger code enforcement, more support for small businesses, and improvements that make the community more attractive to visitors and prospective residents.
Council also unanimously approved extending a contract offer to Tim Hodge of Newton-based Pankratz and Hodge to serve as city attorney.
The action would provide permanent legal counsel after a period of attorney turnover that coincided with recent changes in city leadership.
Council members continued to discuss creating a police chief search committee.
The committee would include a council representative, a law enforcement representative, a representative of Peabody Community Foundation, a representative of Peabody Main Street Association, and a representative from the school district. It would serve in an advisory capacity only, making recommendations but not having authority to hire a chief.
Council members delayed selecting their representative until the remaining council vacancy is filled.
Public safety issues dominated much of the rest of the meeting as council members explored options for replacing the city’s tornado sirens.
The current system had become increasingly unreliable, and one activation took 12 minutes, fire chief Colton Glenn said.
“I’ve had several issues every single time I’ve tried to turn it on,” he said.
Glenn said he was no longer confident the current system would activate properly during an emergency.
He presented options ranging from repair to replacement. Discussion focused on whether the city should pursue a one-siren or two-siren system and whether the project should be paid for this year or incorporated in the 2027 budget.
No decision was made. Glenn was directed to gather additional information. City administrator Paul Leeker said a special meeting could be called once information was available.
Council members also heard a report from officer Charles Walker regarding police equipment.
Walker said existing body cameras no longer hold a full-shift charge and that Taser equipment was nearing obsolescence.
Council members asked Walker to obtain pricing for more limited purchases that would address immediate compliance and safety concerns while the city continues rebuilding its police department.
In other business, Brian Simmonds provided an update on Peabody Land Bank’s moderate-income housing project.
Development of two four-unit apartment buildings could begin soon after final property transfers are completed.
Council members voted to allow Peabody Country Club to remove concrete currently stored at the city’s burn pit.
The arrangement would save the city disposal costs while providing useful material for the golf course, public works superintendent Aaron Waddell said.
The city will retain a small portion for future projects.
Council mebers also approved revised fireworks regulations. Fireworks will be permitted from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 1 and 2, from 8 a.m. to midnight July 3, and 4 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 5. Fireworks also will be allowed during a 30-minute window aound midnight on New Year’s Eve.