The Peabody City Council on Oct. 23 voted unanimously to authorize the mayor to act on behalf of the city in applying for a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection cybersecurity improvement grant to fund cybersecurity upgrades at the municipal water treatment facilities.

Azzana Demer presented the $50,000 grant opportunity to the Finance Committee; officials said the total cybersecurity program for the water plants is estimated at $135,000. Mr. Politz, director of public services, clarified that the application sought a portion of the total cost to align with the state funding available. Councilors asked where the remaining balance would come from; the mayor said the city would return to the council to request additional funds if the grant is awarded.

The Finance Committee and the full council voted to authorize the mayor to file applications and execute agreements necessary to obtain the grant. Councilor Gamache moved the finance motion; the roll call vote on the full council was 11–0.

If awarded, the grant would cover part of the work to upgrade cybersecurity protections at water-treatment infrastructure. Councilors did not vote on a separate appropriation for the local match at the Oct. 23 meeting; the mayor indicated he would return to the council for any additional appropriations.