The Peabody City Council convened on November 26, 2024, for a regular meeting marked by community remembrance and significant local initiatives. The session began with a moment of silence dedicated to Tommy Du Bois, a four-year-old resident who tragically lost his life the previous week. Council members expressed their condolences and urged the community to keep the Du Bois family in their thoughts.

The meeting proceeded without public hearings, transitioning to committee reports. Councilor Turco reported on the Public Services Committee's discussion regarding the revival of the \"Adopt a Cemetery\" program, which aims to encourage residents and organizations to care for the city's 24 neglected cemeteries. The proposal, supported by the historical commission, sparked a debate about the program's regulations concerning weapons in cemeteries. A motion to amend the language to specify \"unlicensed weapons\" was approved unanimously.

Additionally, Councilor Turco introduced a motion to prioritize Fifth Street for paving in the upcoming year, responding to ongoing requests from local business owners. This motion also received unanimous support.

Councilor Rosignol raised concerns about the performance of Republic, the city's trash hauler, particularly regarding delays in leaf pickup. He made a motion to request the company to appear before the council to address these issues and proposed fines for contract violations, both of which passed without opposition.

In a moment of community solidarity, Councilor Walton highlighted the outpouring of support for the Du Bois family, noting that a fund established in Tommy's memory had raised over $15,000 to support youth sports programming, reflecting the city's close-knit spirit during difficult times.

The meeting concluded with no further motions from other councilors, emphasizing the council's focus on community welfare and responsiveness to local needs.