'A Very Bright Future In Peabody': Mayor Delivers Inaugural Address

PEABODY, MA — A transformation from a dark, flood-ridden downtown to a present-day revitalization, the acquisition of open space and the promise of a new high school were among the accomplishments that Peabody Mayor Ted Bettencourt celebrated as he began his 13th year in office at Tuesday night's inauguration.

Bettencourt also laid out plans for future improvements in city life as part of Vision 2035 during the swearing-in ceremony of the mayor, City Council and School Committee — with Gov. Maura Healey in attendance.

"A new master plan is key to maintaining Peabody's growth and vitality over the long term," he said. "I will seek input from Peabody residents and business owners because their perspective will create the most inspiring vision for our city's future.

"One that includes additional housing, particularly affordable, workforce housing in areas of the city where the need is great. We've made good progress in this area in the last few years and we will work to continue that progress in the years ahead."

He also outlined hopes for better public transportation to help residents get into and back from Boston via Salem, and to help reduce traffic congestion, targeted economic development in downtown Peabody, Centennial Park and the Route 1 corridor, and a continued focus on open space preservation following the purchase of more than 200 acres of formerly Rousselot-owned land in and around the Meadow Golf Course and Cedar Grove Cemetery area.

Bettencourt hailed the pending new public safety building as well as the invitation into a matching state funding program for a new high school.

"Although much hard work lies ahead the (state School Building Authority) vote represents a major milestone for our city," Bettencourt said. "In just a few years, Peabody will be home to a new high school, which meets the needs of our students, facilities and staff, and one in which our entire community can be proud."

He noted that the city's newly formed Division of Social Services using opioid lawsuit funding is one of only two such municipal departments in the state and could be a model for other communities while projecting that the city will one day be home to "one of the premier rail trail systems in the region" when the $10 million Peabody Independence Greenway extension is complete.

He also announced that work is underway at the former Brodie's Pub and a new restaurant planned for the former Citizens Bank as part of the ongoing downtown development.

"Gone are the days when Main Street was a dangerous, high-speed cut-through with vacant and abandoned storefronts," he said. "No foot traffic or nightlife and those local news trucks that used to camp out waiting for flood waters to rise. They are long gone too. Chasing bad news somewhere else.

"Being mayor of the city of Peabody has been a great joy in my life," he concluded. "The highlight of my working life and something that I always treasure, and greatly appreciate, and never lose sight of the importance of the role we have in the community in setting the course for the future.

"Working together we have improved our city and have made Peabody a more desirable place to live, and work, and raise a family."

(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.)