Local News
January 8, 2008
"We have the opportunity to provide the high school with the largest percentage of renewable energy, to the best of my knowledge, of any school in the entire state of Massachusetts," he said.
Scanlon said design plans for the high school project - which includes building a new four-story academic wing and renovating the field house, cafeteria and auditorium - are nearly complete and construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
The question of whether the state will pay half the cost, as Scanlon has predicted, has yet to be resolved. Scanlon said he has an "important meeting" next month in Boston with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which is in charge of deciding which communities get state funding for their projects.
Scanlon also expressed optimism on the long-sought quest for the MBTA to build a parking garage next to the train depot. He said a garage would be the "catalyst" for more development on Rantoul Street, which would generate more property taxes for the city and help pay for an upgraded middle school at the Memorial site, as well as a new police and fire station.
Scanlon diverted from his prepared remarks to refute a description of a commuter parking garage as a "long shot."
"I believe, and I know Rep. (Mary) Grant believes, that we are going to make this happen," he said. "I feel very optimistic about it."
Scanlon said he expects construction of a Black Cow restaurant on the former McDonald's site to begin "later this year," marking the beginning of an effort to improve the waterfront.
Another long-awaited project - a new road over Route 128 from Brimbal Avenue to the area around the North Shore Music Theatre - is getting closer, Scanlon said. The mayor said the new road would remove 40 percent of the traffic from Brimbal Avenue. The project would be funded by the state, he said.
The city is also considering a proposal to build a skating rink on city-owned land near Beverly Airport. The rink would be privately built and operated on land that would be leased from the city.
Savings on trash
Scanlon announced that improved recycling has reduced the amount of trash generated in the city by more than 6.5 million pounds, an average of about 160 pounds per person. That has saved the city nearly $250,000 in trash disposal costs, "a truly staggering result," he said.
He also announced that Endicott College has agreed to contribute $250,000 to the city over the next three years. The college is not obligated to pay property taxes, but Scanlon said Endicott has acknowledged that the "noneducational use" of its newly constructed inn is "appropriately taxable."
Scanlon, 67, made no mention - nor did any of the other speakers - of the fact that he is now the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Scanlon is beginning his seventh term, breaking the mark of six terms he had shared with Daniel "Chick" McLean (1937-48).
Scanlon touts new stadium, alternative energy
BEVERLY - Inauguration day might be getting old for Bill Scanlon, but the mayor used the occasion of his seventh inaugural address yesterday to promise lots of "new."
Speaking to about 100 people crowded into City Council chambers at City Hall, Scanlon said the city is close to accomplishing a host of projects - a new high school, two new artificial-turf playing fields, a new waterfront restaurant, a new skating rink, a new parking garage at the train depot and even a new road over Route 128.
He offered little new information on those projects, however, saying he will wait until his State of the City speech on Feb. 4 to discuss details, as well as "some clouds in our future."
"By that time, the governor's budget for next fiscal year will be known, and I will be able to provide you with a more insightful picture of the fiscal year to come," he said. "Thus, I will focus today on our opportunities and the positive."
The biggest news in Scanlon's speech might have been his strong support to build two artificial-turf playing fields at the high school, which would replace Hurd Stadium as the longtime home of Beverly High football, as well as a proposal to supply half of the new building's electrical needs through wind and solar power.
Neither of those features was included in the original design and cost estimate, Scanlon said, so he hopes to pay for them with grants and private donations. He called both features "highly desirable."
The plan to replace Hurd Stadium, which Scanlon first raised last year, prompted more than 400 people to sign an online "Save Hurd Stadium" petition. Yesterday, Scanlon backed off the possibility of selling the 70-year-old stadium, saying it could still be used as a "neighborhood recreation field."
Building two new fields would allow teams to benefit by playing right next door to the high school and its new facilities, as well as save on the cost of replacing Hurd Stadium's "aging stands," Scanlon said.
"The two new turf fields at the high school would significantly expand our available athletic fields, improving recreational opportunities for both young and old," he said.
'A wise investment'
Scanlon said taking full advantage of alternative energy in the new high school would be a "wise investment in our children's future, and current and future taxpayers will benefit if we display foresight on this issue."
Speaking to about 100 people crowded into City Council chambers at City Hall, Scanlon said the city is close to accomplishing a host of projects - a new high school, two new artificial-turf playing fields, a new waterfront restaurant, a new skating rink, a new parking garage at the train depot and even a new road over Route 128.
He offered little new information on those projects, however, saying he will wait until his State of the City speech on Feb. 4 to discuss details, as well as "some clouds in our future."
"By that time, the governor's budget for next fiscal year will be known, and I will be able to provide you with a more insightful picture of the fiscal year to come," he said. "Thus, I will focus today on our opportunities and the positive."
The biggest news in Scanlon's speech might have been his strong support to build two artificial-turf playing fields at the high school, which would replace Hurd Stadium as the longtime home of Beverly High football, as well as a proposal to supply half of the new building's electrical needs through wind and solar power.
Neither of those features was included in the original design and cost estimate, Scanlon said, so he hopes to pay for them with grants and private donations. He called both features "highly desirable."
The plan to replace Hurd Stadium, which Scanlon first raised last year, prompted more than 400 people to sign an online "Save Hurd Stadium" petition. Yesterday, Scanlon backed off the possibility of selling the 70-year-old stadium, saying it could still be used as a "neighborhood recreation field."
Building two new fields would allow teams to benefit by playing right next door to the high school and its new facilities, as well as save on the cost of replacing Hurd Stadium's "aging stands," Scanlon said.
"The two new turf fields at the high school would significantly expand our available athletic fields, improving recreational opportunities for both young and old," he said.
'A wise investment'
Scanlon said taking full advantage of alternative energy in the new high school would be a "wise investment in our children's future, and current and future taxpayers will benefit if we display foresight on this issue."
"We have the opportunity to provide the high school with the largest percentage of renewable energy, to the best of my knowledge, of any school in the entire state of Massachusetts," he said.
Scanlon said design plans for the high school project - which includes building a new four-story academic wing and renovating the field house, cafeteria and auditorium - are nearly complete and construction is scheduled to begin this summer.
The question of whether the state will pay half the cost, as Scanlon has predicted, has yet to be resolved. Scanlon said he has an "important meeting" next month in Boston with the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which is in charge of deciding which communities get state funding for their projects.
Scanlon also expressed optimism on the long-sought quest for the MBTA to build a parking garage next to the train depot. He said a garage would be the "catalyst" for more development on Rantoul Street, which would generate more property taxes for the city and help pay for an upgraded middle school at the Memorial site, as well as a new police and fire station.
Scanlon diverted from his prepared remarks to refute a description of a commuter parking garage as a "long shot."
"I believe, and I know Rep. (Mary) Grant believes, that we are going to make this happen," he said. "I feel very optimistic about it."
Scanlon said he expects construction of a Black Cow restaurant on the former McDonald's site to begin "later this year," marking the beginning of an effort to improve the waterfront.
Another long-awaited project - a new road over Route 128 from Brimbal Avenue to the area around the North Shore Music Theatre - is getting closer, Scanlon said. The mayor said the new road would remove 40 percent of the traffic from Brimbal Avenue. The project would be funded by the state, he said.
The city is also considering a proposal to build a skating rink on city-owned land near Beverly Airport. The rink would be privately built and operated on land that would be leased from the city.
Savings on trash
Scanlon announced that improved recycling has reduced the amount of trash generated in the city by more than 6.5 million pounds, an average of about 160 pounds per person. That has saved the city nearly $250,000 in trash disposal costs, "a truly staggering result," he said.
He also announced that Endicott College has agreed to contribute $250,000 to the city over the next three years. The college is not obligated to pay property taxes, but Scanlon said Endicott has acknowledged that the "noneducational use" of its newly constructed inn is "appropriately taxable."
Scanlon, 67, made no mention - nor did any of the other speakers - of the fact that he is now the longest-serving mayor in the city's history. Scanlon is beginning his seventh term, breaking the mark of six terms he had shared with Daniel "Chick" McLean (1937-48).
- Local News
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Scratch tickets worth $10,000 stolen at mall
PEABODY — An estimated $10,000 worth of scratch tickets were stolen from a newsstand at the Northshore Mall.
A robber broke into the Gateway News kiosk right after the 9:30 p.m. closing Wednesday and grabbed the lottery tickets, according to police. -
Cops vs. codgers in Jimmy Fund benefit ball game
PEABODY — A Labor Day tradition will resume Monday in Peabody when police officers face the Northshore Oldtimers in baseball.
This year is the 54th anniversary of an event that raises money for the Jimmy Fund. Players will take the field at Emerson Park at 10 a.m., following a baseball clinic for 8- to 12-year-olds that begins at 8 a.m. -
Family's injured dog gains Facebook fans
DANVERS — A family's 3-year-old cocker spaniel named Sammy, which was mauled during a walk last month, now has a Facebook page called "Sammy Super Dog" and plenty of well-wishers, owner Kristen Litka said.
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Police
Peabody
Wednesday
A woman contacted police at 5:41 p.m. to report that she found a diamond ring at Toys "R" Us at the Northshore Mall.
Police went to the Friendly's restaurant on Route 114 at 8:32 p.m. on a report of a female customer having fainting spells. A 40-year-old Peabody woman was transported to Beverly Hospital by ambulance. -
Police copter spots 'grass' plot
PEABODY — A state police helicopter was high in the sky Wednesday searching for an armed robbery suspect when it discovered a small plot of marijuana on the ground.
Members of the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing were assisting Peabody police following a robbery outside a Sovereign Bank branch on Lowell Street. They spotted the small growth in woods between Oak Grove Cemetery and Winona Street, according to Peabody police. - 100,000th pet adopted from Salem animal shelter
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Scratch tickets worth $10,000 stolen at mall
