Bettencourt Moves to Return Over $320,000 in Unclaimed City Funds
PEABODY — Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt Jr. is pushing to return more than $320,000 in unclaimed cash to Peabody residents and businesses, the top item in a light 24-hour stretch of city and school news that also included fresh state primary election guidance and a Peabody Patch feature on cooperation at the Brooksby Village senior community.
TOWN HALL
Mayor Bettencourt is looking to return more than $320,000 in unclaimed cash to Peabody residents and businesses, according to a notice posted on the city's website. City Hall has published a full list of unclaimed property along with an online claim form for anyone who believes money is owed to them.
Separately, the city posted information for residents ahead of the upcoming Massachusetts state primary election, directing voters to registration and polling details on peabody-ma.gov. City Hall also scheduled a public meeting on Peabody's Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, a required follow-up to the 30-day public comment period the city opened this month on its annual report to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
SCHOOLS
Peabody Public Schools continues preparing for the 2026-2027 year. The School Committee is scheduled to meet Aug. 25, new teachers report Aug. 26, and an Aug. 31 professional development day means no classes for students. Kindergarten screening is set for Sept. 2, the same day grades 1 through 12 return for the first day of school. Kindergarten registration for the new school year remains open through the district's website.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
Peabody Institute Library continues to offer job-search and career resources through its website, along with access to digitized Peabody newspaper archives dating back to 1844. The library's South and West branches remain on adjusted summer hours through Labor Day. Looking further ahead, the city's 41st annual International Festival, a showcase of Peabody's cultural diversity, is set for downtown on Sept. 27.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Residents and Staff Members Work Together at Brooksby": At the Brooksby Village senior living community, Resident Advisory Council Chair Stan Nissen and Executive Director Tracie Bettano are collaborating to ensure resident feedback shapes daily operations, according to Peabody Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
"Fast-Casual Smoothie, Sandwich Spot Opens North Shore Location": Pressed Cafe opened its 12th Massachusetts location over the weekend at Beverly's Cummings Center, a short drive from Peabody, Peabody Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/s/kmrcu/fast-casual-smoothie-sandwich-spot-opens-north-shore-location).
"Essex Tech Gets $1.2M For Free Adult Career Training Programs": Neighboring Essex Tech in Danvers will use new state funding to launch tuition-free adult career training in 10 trades by fall 2028, a resource area students and residents nearby may tap, Peabody Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody).
Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.