Peabody Mayor Praises City Services Amid Coronavirus Surge

PEABODY, MA — Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt lauded the efforts of public health officials, first responders, teachers and other municipal staff in the 10 months of the coronavirus health crisis, while he provided some updates on city services, in a letter to the community on Wednesday.

Bettencourt said the city has prioritized "essential services" since the onset of the pandemic in March.

He praised the Department of Public Health for continuing to offer coronavirus tests, while initiating the vaccination of school nurses and first responders this week at Peabody High School and conducting contact tracing of known cases.

He called Peabody police officers and firefighters "among the frontline heroes of the pandemic and we will never forget their courage and sacrifice."

"It has never been a more difficult time to be a teacher, police officer or firefighter. Our community is forever grateful to the teachers, administrators, school nurses, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians and support staff who have stepped up to make sure our students continue to learn and succeed during the pandemic."

Bettencourt also said the new water pumping station off Lowell Street was activated last week in an effort to improve water pressure to neighborhoods that have struggled with low water pressure for many years in West Peabody.

The Winona Treatment Plant will be reconstructed to allow for two new treatment plants in the city "enabling us to produce our water and control our water rates for many years to come."

Public access is limited to City Hall because of the coronavirus rate surge, with most municipal services available by phone or remotely here. Services that cannot be completed remotely can be arranged through calling 978-538-5900.

Calls that aren't answered are typically returned within one or two business days.

"Like all businesses, City Hall is adapting to the governor's restrictions on building capacity, staff shortages due to COVID-19 protocols, and of course the virus' effects on city employees and their families," Bettencourt said. "Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. My administration is committed to providing a high level of municipal services while protecting the health and safety of our community and city workforce."

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