Globe North news briefs

GRANT FOR FIRE SAFETY - The Beverly Fire Department will receive a $41,662 grant from the Department of Homeland Security through its Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. US Representative John F. Tierney said last week that the department will use the money to expand its fire safety education program. According to Richard F. Pierce, Beverly fire chief, the grant will be used to fund a public education program called Prevention through Inspiration. - Steven Rosenberg

CLEANUP AT THE BEACH - To celebrate Earth Month, the Revere Beach Partnership and Raina's Hair Design Studio have organized a cleanup of Revere Beach on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Volunteers and sponsors are needed for the event, which will help raise funds for the Partnership and Clean Ocean Action, a national organization dedicated to protecting waterways. Meet at the beach's bandstand. Donation checks may be made out to and dropped off at Raina's hair studio, located at 115 Broadway. - Katheleen Conti

PUMPER TRUCK BID - Voters are facing a Proposition 2 1/2 tax increase proposal on the May 13 town election ballot - a proposed debt exclusion to fund a $450,000 pumper truck for the Fire Department. A debt exclusion allows a community to temporarily increase its property taxes above the limit set by state law. Should the debt exclusion pass, the May 19 Annual Town Meeting would need to approve the purchase by a two-thirds vote. Approval would add about $48 to the bill of an average home, valued at about $440,000, according to Finance Committee chairman John R. DiMento. The truck, which can pump 1,500 gallons per minute, would replace a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pumper truck the town purchased used in 1985. That truck was taken out of service in 2005. The Board of Selectmen and the fire chief said purchase of the new truck would ensure adequate pumping ability. - John Laidler

PURSUING HIS DREAM - Sergeant Michael Andreas, a 12-year veteran of the Salem Police Department, has resigned to pursue a degree and a job in Homeland Security, Chief Robert M. St. Pierre said last week. Andreas was assigned as the department's point man on terrorism issues following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He was considered for the chief's job in Salisbury and Topsfield. St. Pierre said he accepted Andreas's resignation in February. "I believe he's looking for a job in Homeland Security at the federal level," St. Pierre said. "That's where his heart really is . . . good luck to him." - Erin Ailworth

BERNIE & PHYL'S EXPANSION PLANS - Bernie & Phyl's Furniture could be growing. Tonight, the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a site plan review application to expand the furniture store, located on Route 1 south next to Hilltop Steak House. The store has applied to add a 25,084-square-foot addition to its 50,000-square-foot store. "Bernie & Phyl's had a great year last year," said Amy Blumenthal, a spokeswoman for the company. "Saugus already is a popular location. With this addition, we'll be able to offer a larger selection of furniture." The hearing will be held as part of the Planning Board's regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex, located at 25 Main St. - Kathy McCabe