Beverly Mayor Mike Cahill Vows To Meet City's 'Financial Challenges' In First 4-Year Term

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill began the first four-year term in city history on Monday, acknowledging that the city faces "financial challenges" in the coming year as projected revenues fall "well short" of expenses, while vowing to meet those challenges through increased efficiencies, state aid, grants and local taxes.

"It is our responsibility to build and pass a balanced budget and we will," he said during his inaugural address. "Every year, together, we balance the many needs and challenges our city faces. And we pass a budget that delivers outstanding, high-quality services that invest in our infrastructure needs and sets aside money for our future needs.

"Every year, as our city's elected leaders, we are criticized by some for not spending enough. And by others for spending too much. Together, again this year, we will pass a balanced budget, and we will move our community forward by delivering high-quality education and city services.

"Since nothing that we do will likely cost less next year, this will require us to find and implement additional efficiencies. ... This will also require more money."

Cahill said city leaders will be measured in how they manage government resources based on the tax burden that they ask Beverly homeowners and business owners to carry.

Cahill, who begins his seventh term as mayor, survived campaign opposition from then-sitting Councilor At-Large Brendan Sweeney this past fall in the race to serve the city's first four-year mayoral term following a charter change approved in the previous election. He received about 60 percent of the vote against Sweeney, who campaigned on a more fiscally conservative platform.

"Beverly is not without challenges," the mayor said on Monday. "Yet, Beverly is a strong, resilient community — one of the most desirable cities in America. ...

"Together we can, and we will, meet our opportunities and challenges, and we will thrive."

Cahill cited the increasing "negative tone" of public discourse that he said too often now turns "disrespectful" and "dehumanizing" both online and in person.

"We will all continue, at all times, to interact respectfully with each other and with our community," he said. "And we will insist that same respect be extended our employees and volunteers by community members."

Cahill called Beverly community members "our greatest strength," and urged public participation in the shared work that lies ahead.

"We all choose to call Beverly home. Together, let us continue to give Beverly our best, to keep Beverly a strong, healthy and welcoming community that we all know and love," he said. "I am excited and energized today to recommit to this important work."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)