Peabody City Council Finance Committee voted to authorize the mayor to apply for a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to help fund cybersecurity upgrades to the city's water treatment control systems.

The measure, approved by roll call during the committee meeting, authorizes the mayor to act on behalf of the city in filing applications, executing agreements and taking other actions necessary to secure grants or loans for water projects under the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act (MGL c.21, §§ 27 6 33E, inclusive, as amended). Councilor Gamache moved the authorization; the motion was carried by roll call and recorded as approved in committee.

The grant request is intended to cover part of a broader $135,000 project to upgrade supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) computers that operate Peabody's two water treatment plants. William Paulitz, director of the Department of Public Services, told the committee the city is seeking $50,000 from the DEP program and expects to cover the remaining costs with city funds if the grant is not fully awarded. "I think our thought was to try to keep it as simple as possible for the state," Paulitz said, explaining why the application lists the state portion separately.

Committee members asked for clarification about figures in the application. Councilor Turco noted the application appears to list a total project cost of $51,120, while Paulitz had described the overall project cost as $135,000. Paulitz said the application is focused on the portion the city is asking the state to fund and that the additional programming and remaining hardware and software work would be paid for from city funding. He described the work as specialized programming and hardware purchases for multiple SCADA computers, including backups, at two water treatment plants.

Councilor Weldon asked whether the city would proceed with the project if the grant is not awarded. Paulitz said the city plans to move forward and would return to the council to seek the additional funding needed. He also said the DEP grant was the primary state funding opportunity the city currently expects to pursue for this project.

The motion recorded by Councilor Gamache cites the statutory authority for water projects under the Massachusetts Clean Waters Act and authorizes the mayor to submit applications and execute agreements for grants or loans for planning or construction of drinking-water or water-pollution abatement projects.

Roll call during the meeting recorded "Yes" votes from Councilors Turco, Gould, Gamache, Manning, Martin and Mayor McGinn; the motion was announced in the minutes as carrying 5 to 0. The committee then adjourned. Staff said they will proceed with the grant submission and return to the full council for any additional funding approvals if needed.