Four more years

In inaugural address, Cahill cautions against 'negative tone of discourse' and 'erosion of trust throughout our country'

In an increasingly volatile world, there’s something comforting about the routine traditions of local government.

That was the case today in Beverly, where Mayor Mike Cahill was sworn in for another term alongside City Council and School Committee members.

There was no big news out of the noon-time ceremony in the Beverly High School auditorium. In fact, it looked a lot like other inaugurations I’ve covered over the years. The presentation of the colors by the BHS Marine Corps Junior ROTC Color Guard. The National Anthem by the BHS Vocal Ensemble. Music by the BHS Jazz Band. And the oath of office administered by City Clerk Lisa Kent.

Actually, there was one thing different this time around. Cahill, who has been mayor for 12 years, became the first Beverly mayor to be sworn in for a four-year term, a change that was approved by voters in 2023. (City councilors and School Committee members still serve two-year terms.)

In his inaugural address, Cahill acknowledged the turmoil of the times, what he called “an increasingly negative tone of discourse in American society and the erosion of trust throughout our country.”

“No community, including Beverly, has been immune to instances of disrespectful and dehumanizing language and actions, both online and in other public settings,” he said.

“As your mayor, I always have and I always will lead this community honorably and with respect for all. My expectation for city employees and for board and commission volunteers remains the same. We will all continue at all times to interact respectfully with each other and with our community. And we will insist that same respect be extended to our employees and volunteers by community members.”

Cahill said the job of elected officials is “straightforward.” This is how he described it:

— Deliver high quality city services and outstanding public education for our residents

— To maintain, protect, and improve our infrastructure – our buildings, vehicles, water, stormwater, sewer, roads and sidewalks

— To ensure every Beverly resident is safe and welcome in our community and enjoys the same full rights as all of us

— To build on our strengths as a community and evolve to meet our residents’ needs now and for the coming decades

— To work to keep Beverly affordable for all our residents, and to provide needed housing

— And as our natural world is increasingly impacted by climate change, to work with urgency to ensure for our children and grandchildren the bright future that we owe them

But he also pointed out that the city is facing a big challenge — a projected $4 million budget deficit. That basically means the city will have to cut costs — or, as Cahill said, “find and implement additional efficiencies in how we deliver services” — and find more money — “through grants, state aid, economic investment and growth, and local taxes.”

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

As usual, family was a big part of the ceremony for Cahill. His brother Sean Cahill served as the master of ceremonies. His niece Gianna Cahill played drums in the Jazz Band. The mayor mentioned his late parents, Bill and Jeanne Cahill, who both served the community, Bill as a city councilor in the 1960s and Jeanne as a longtime teacher and a member of the 1994-95 charter review commission. Cahill also thanked his partner, Tachou, and her sons, as well as his brothers and sisters-in-laws, his nephews and niece and their partners, and his great nephews and great niece.

“A whole lot of family who call Beverly home and who have always provided me with the love and support I need to succeed,” Cahill said.

The mayor, who is 64, also pointed out that he has now been in public service for 33 years — as a state rep, city councilor and mayor. At the end of the four-year term he will have served as mayor for 16 years, two shy of the record held by Bill Scanlon.

Although acknowledging the difficult times, both in terms of national politics and local budgets, Cahill ended on a positive note.

“Beverly is not without challenges. And yet, Beverly is a strong, resilient community — one of the most desirable cities in America and a truly special hometown,” he said. “Beverly is a fantastic city to call home, to raise a family, to start and grow a business, to live our lives. Together, we can and we will meet our opportunities and challenges, and we will thrive.”