[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6372052,"mediaKeyId","2148522-943402016c4a7b04950c36aaa8a3bac1","parentId",2148522,"title","Committee approves $75,000 transfer to study South and West elementary school roofs","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",3966000,"endMs",4134000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148522-943402016c4a7b04950c36aaa8a3bac1&start=3966&end=4134","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148522-943402016c4a7b04950c36aaa8a3bac1/thumbnail_3966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372052/Peabody-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-approves-75000-transfer-to-study-South-and-West-elementary-school-roofs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372052-7dfb452d73acc59d44deed289add5e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445553&Signature=P1dUnvbpZ1PRdHaA~Plm5jg1HYveF0IWhN5D2lRvgfbZJxdU6YyQs1eLGHLU~8sosaj57JzP4wQu85h02FqWyq6rX9wXuZ-q8hbCtz06pMGER9CB~fcHCKvMKA97a9MaN3qdJoASgh-aZjly~IajraaNu4X88YuKHEovVZH2XFAkzuLpSkxaGIcZirXyqi0FKTjN7gF1GjrYnDnh4E5CXC7iMcnj1MZ2DrD8MMZLSmnjmt-3ola2EcClcH~HJWYHb60AjOEvAfzW4125TeDPIlDJNGVVbtC-Ps697jAwbKKK1rmohNW~~GdfrATRTnClAbvm1fLWm6178hTyJsu4Vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Peabody, MA","date","2025-01-24T13:12:03Z","article","The Peabody City Council Finance Committee on Thursday approved a motion to transfer $75,000 to study and investigate new roofs for South and West elementary schools, the mayor said. The transfer passed on a 5-0 roll call.

Mayor Ted Beddingford said the funds would support required investigation and be part of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) accelerated repair process; if the city later chooses to pursue construction, the full council would receive a presentation and a separate vote on funding.

Councilor Gould moved the transfer from bond premiums reserved for projects to an account designated for South and West School roofs. The motion specified that $75,000 be moved from account 270000033015 to account 3000000358862025.

Why it matters: Both schools have experienced roof leaks, and the transfer will fund studies to determine the scope and cost of repairs so the city can decide whether to pursue MSBA-supported work. The mayor said the transfer is an early step; any construction appropriation will return to council for approval.

Outcome and next steps: The committee directed staff to proceed with the study; the mayor and administration will return to council with study results and recommendations before committing to construction or larger appropriations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peabody City Council Finance Committee Meeting - January 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Finance Committee voted 5-0 to transfer $75,000 from bond premiums reserved for projects to fund investigation and preliminary work for new roofs at South and West elementary schools as part of the MSBA accelerated repair process; any construction funding would return to the council for later approval.","taxTitle","Peabody City, Essex County, Massachusetts","taxId",5128,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6372055,"Finance committee authorizes $25 million bond order, P&S to buy 164.6 acres and Russo water rights",3269,562000,3831000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2148522-943402016c4a7b04950c36aaa8a3bac1&start=562&end=3831","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2148522-943402016c4a7b04950c36aaa8a3bac1/thumbnail_562000.jpg","/articles/6372055/Peabody-City/Essex-County/Massachusetts/Finance-committee-authorizes-25-million-bond-order-PS-to-buy-1646-acres-and-Russo-water-rights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372055-bbbaabe8e0922b8a21f03c67d7a1b5a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445553&Signature=XeESKlINHF9WZ7uwM0WKZBcMduKqvOk6p4Rp8HftTCyC2MvtIg3FbIeygoaX2r-2vQT3Pr9b8xspAyKXypv05WzLHF6D2Ff6LtM7i720fxDeIS4Zy7w2GaMWjQGinxOgGXtK2srPWI3D6ZvKYcSFhVDtucWEW8gexHvyqwGuNyZQYPkKp3Khm-WgLtxUlCBjmVufGCbJs7dpiDy38o2NwdnSrdwpU35Xc2lWPTteLk78w4g0k0cICfxTVs6h5i00rEqvbaxeYtiP3~eS9Jp~SIwSRdDUDfYla5Q6-d0TY9El8bNIF~oFpRO63e-xb0P7Gvj-6VKhzj8SVKxjlQnOxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Peabody City Council Finance Committee on Thursday authorized the mayor to enter a purchase and sale agreement and approved a $25 million bond order to buy roughly 164.56 acres and associated water rights from Russo Peabody, the committee chair said. The motions passed 5-0.

Mayor Ted Beddingford called the proposed acquisition “a unique opportunity” to preserve open space, secure freshwater resources and help mitigate local flooding, and said the purchase includes an active water-management permit that allows up to about 3,340,000 gallons per day.

The committee’s authorization begins a formal due-diligence period, during which the city will complete Phase I environmental testing and any additional investigations needed before deciding whether to close. The draft purchase-and-sale agreement contains an opt-out provision, and the mayor said the city could walk away without additional cost if testing or title work raises unacceptable issues.

Why it matters: Committee members said the land and water rights could reduce Peabody’s reliance on Massachusetts Water Resources Authority supplies during peak demand, preserve contiguous open space and give the city new options for flood mitigation tied to the Goldthwaite Brook watershed.

Discussion highlights and follow-up: The mayor said Weston & Sampson, the city’s water consultant, reviewed samples and reported the water is of “good quality” and that there is potential financial benefit over the long term, though substantial infrastructure investment would be required to treat and distribute the water for drinking purposes. The mayor said a full new treatment plant could cost an estimated $20 million to $25 million, while other options such as upgrades to the Walsh Water Treatment Plant might be less expensive.

Councilors emphasized the need for further study, maintenance of existing upstream assets, and consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection on any permit increases. Councilor Turco, among others, praised the proposal and said, “I don't believe the city is at any risk here at all.”

Formal actions: Councilor Gould moved the primary authorization; the committee later amended the draft to include revised language in section 5.1.0.9 (opt-out language) provided by the mayor. A separate motion to adopt the loan/bond order for $25,000,000 was moved and approved. Each recorded roll call was 5-0 in favor.

What remains: The city will complete Phase I environmental work, review Weston & Sampson’s further analysis of water quality and infrastructure options, and negotiate final purchase-and-sale contract language with Russo Peabody. Funding for the bond is expected to be handled through the water and sewer enterprise fund, the mayor said. If testing and permitting succeed, future votes will be required to appropriate construction funds or to adopt a plan for treatment and distribution.

The committee also instructed staff and consultants to proceed with the due-diligence tasks described in the draft agreement and to report back to the council before any closing.","The Peabody City Council Finance Committee voted 5-0 to authorize the mayor to sign a purchase and sale agreement and to approve a $25 million bond order to buy about 164.6 acres of open space and related water rights from Russo Peabody, advancing a due-diligence period and environmental testing before any closing.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee approves $75,000 transfer to study South and West elementary school roofs

Finance committee authorizes $25 million bond order, P&S to buy 164.6 acres and Russo water rights