Peabody's School Committee voted to shift $100,000 from health insurance to fund a districtwide performing arts director after a nearly four-hour outcry from students and alumni.
Peabody Planning Board approved a two-lot subdivision at 18 Sparrow Lane for the Belanger family.
Peabody's Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to uphold a building inspector's letter requiring larger setbacks for an accessory dwelling unit at 11 Bristol Road.
Peabody's Industrial and Community Development Committee voted 4-1 to advance a revised accessory dwelling unit ordinance to the Planning Board amid an unresolved dispute with the state over setback rules.
Peabody's School Committee trimmed its proposed budget to $101,967,320 and added two Brown School paraprofessionals. Superintendent Dr. Vidala proposed $236,442 in cuts, including one Higgins ELL teacher, as projected ELL enrollment fell from 733 to 636 students.
The Peabody Planning Board let an applicant withdraw a group home site plan after staff said state law bars the board from reviewing it.
Peabody's mayor proposed a new $200 annual trash fee and a water and sewer rate increase to help close a city budget gap.
The Peabody Conservation Commission continued two Lowell Street hearings to June 10 over neighbor objections. Both votes, on 309 and 303 Lowell Street, passed 4-3, with Amanda Green, Brian Cassidy and Leslie Cotamarsh opposed.
Peabody School Committee approved $931,903 in budget cuts, 5-1. Superintendent Dr. Vidala's second tier of reductions removes four high school teaching positions (English, math, science, social studies) and 2.5 administrative positions, plus $175,000 in health insurance costs.
Peabody's City Council heard the South Essex Sewerage District ask for relief from Proposition 2.5.