Peabody councilman quits after two calls to cops
Staff writer
Andy Rosine was absent from the Monday’s Peabody city council meeting. He resigned Aug. 7, but says his resignation was unrelated to two sheriff’s office calls involving him Aug. 4 and 5.
“I am putting my time and efforts into some other projects that will take me away from efforts the council deserves, so out of respect for the position, I am stepping down,” Rosine said. “I stand behind any actions regarding those calls.”
A sheriff’s deputy responded Aug. 4 to Eyestone Automotive after a reported verbal altercation involving Rosine.
The sheriff’s office has an incident report from the call, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said.
A deputy also was called Aug. 5 after a Peabody resident reported that Rosine had harassed him by making threatening maneuvers with his vehicle toward the resident, who was on a mobility scooter. No offense report was filed from that call, Starkey said.
“Not at all,” Rosine said when asked whether either incident contributed to his resignation.
Rosine had told Mayor Bailey Penner beforehand that he planned to resign and wanted “to return to a peaceful life once again,” Penner said.
Penner believed the resignation was effective immediately.
“It certainly adds on to that perception of turnover,” Penner said. “It’s a tough environment right now.”
Peabody had a fully seated council for only six weeks before Rosine resigned. Prior to that, the last fully seated council was in August, 2025.
“I am extremely proud of the work Mayor Penner, and the council are doing and Peabody has a bright future ahead,” Rosine said.
His resignation was not announced during Monday’s council meeting. Penner’s only reference to Rosine’s departure came while replacing him on a committee searching for a new police chief.
Rosine was “no longer going to be attending those meetings,” Penner said. Council members appointed councilmember Trevor Hamm to replace him.
Sales tax
Council members began weighing Monday whether to renew or increase Peabody’s 1% sales tax for street improvements. It will expire March 31.
The tax generated $607,137 from 2021 through 2025 but annual collections fell to $98,790 in 2025. Options ranged from retaining the 1% rate to doubling it to 2%. No rate or election date was selected.
Code contract
Councilwoman Linda Martinez asked that terminating the city’s contract with Professional Code Compliance be placed on the next agenda.
“In my personal opinion, they have not done their due diligence in their job,” Martinez said. “And I feel like we are at the limit of what they can do for us.”
Martinez is the only current council member who was serving when the company was hired in 2024.
Rebid
A federally funded housing rehabilitation project at 504 N. Walnut St. is without a contractor after the company originally hired for the work withdrew.
Council members voted 4-0 to prepare to hire Arambula Construction, the other qualifying bidder.
The original contractor gave no reason for withdrawing, city administrator Paul Leeker said.
Arambula’s bid exceeded the project maximum.
Reducing the scope of work, requiring homeowner contribution or seeking new bids are possible options, Leeker said.
Policies
Council members also reviewed a 12-page document package of policies Leeker prepared in response to findings from the city’s 2025 audit.
The proposed policies address purchasing cards, purchases and payments, cash receipts, payroll, bank reconciliations, council financial oversight, capital practices, and use and control of city tech.
The technology policy also establishes rules for electronic public records, records retention, cyber security, and use of city accounts and equipment.
The package particularly addresses repeat findings identified by the Loyd Group, Leeker said.
Council members voted 4-0 to receive the auditor’s communication and Leeker’s response and bring the policies back for consideration after review.