City Council Preview: Monday, June 8, 2026
A packed agenda awaits councilors as the they headsinto “Hot Girl Summer"
Written by: Dan Shibilia
Agenda link: Agenda - 06/08/2026 https://share.google/h1ijkCPbivjDTfHJR
Monday evening will be a busy one at the Great Hall in the Searles Building. The night begins at 5:30 p.m. at Methuen High School, where the School Committee will hold its own meeting and honor the district's Teachers of the Year. From there, attention and likely the crowd shifts to City Hall.
Before the regular meeting, the council will convene a Public Hearing at 6:45 p.m. on TR-26-50, a resolution requesting a Home Rule Petition regarding the reinstatement of positions in a departmental unit according to seniority in the City of Methuen. The measure is sponsored by Chair Neily Soto, Councilor Ryan DiZoglio and Councilor Patricia Valley.
The why here is simple on its face… TR-26-50, a Home Rule Petition that would strengthen seniority protections for civil service employees tenured under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 31. Under the measure, if permanent employees of the same rank face layoffs due to lack of work, lack of funding or abolishment of positions, they must be separated and reinstated strictly by seniority, with the most senior employees retained longest and brought back first.
The risks to the city are largely operational. Strict seniority reinstatement rules can limit management's flexibility to restructure a department or bring back workers whose skills best match how a position has evolved after a period of cuts. Any deviation from the required reinstatement order, even an unintentional one, could expose the city to legal challenges from affected employees. The bill also still faces a long road, as even with local approval it must pass the state Legislature. A nearly identical version cleared a House committee in 2024 but died at the end of that session without a final vote.
The regular meeting agenda is among the most substantial of the year, touching on personnel, public safety, infrastructure, energy, finances and quality-of-life issues across the city.
Of course, it will start with all the regular stuff. It's fair to anticipate quite a bit of public participation given some of the items hitting the floor this evening.
PERSONNEL
The council will consider the appointment of Firefighter Craig Langlais to the rank of Lieutenant in the Methuen Fire Department.
This should be pretty quick and painless. I don't anticipate any issues on this one.
PRESENTATIONS
Ken Lombardi and Kevin Paicos of NFP will present an overview of the City of Methuen's Health Insurance Program, a presentation requested by Mayor Beauregard.
This is more important than it sounds. Earlier last week, the mayor released our long-standing health insurance broker of their duties. Borislow Insurance has served the city for something like 25 years. This conversation marks just the latest actions working to move the city into GIC.
If I were a betting man, I'd assume that there is a good possibility for tensions to rise during this presentation.
Mayor’s Report
The mayor will give his report which generally covers all of the things the councillors are asking for and they request below, plus some other new fun things.
CAFO Report
The council will receive the CAFO Report, which includes a request from Chair Soto for an update on Searles Estate expenses and revenues.
Requests of Councilors
Chair Soto: Whether the Methuen Housing Authority currently receives trash collection through the city’s municipal contract.
Chair Soto: Request that the city’s paving list be published on the Methuen website. …This was discussed at the last meeting. Given the time of year, I doubt we have an update.
Councilor Valley: Update from the CAFO and City Solicitor on implementation of the state’s abandoned and unclaimed property law.
Councilor Valley: Update from the Mayor and City Solicitor on the Rail Trail depot overhangs, including potential acquisition, legal options and available grant funding. …It is worth noting that these overhangs were, by deed, set for demolition years ago. They are private property that needs to be completely repaired. If we are laying off teachers and furloughing everyone else, investing in this would be an insult to everyone in this City.
Councilor Santos: Status update on the feasibility study for the public safety buildings and the Department of Public Works. … This is a recurring update.
Councilors DiZoglio and Drew: First report from the city’s Sanitation and Zero Waste Coordinator, including data on trash-related fines and tonnage.
Councilors DiZoglio and Chair Soto: Information regarding operations at 4 Alderbrook Lane involving a non-residential use. …You may recall that we reported this earlier this week after a Sunday event brought massive amounts of traffic to the small street. It was later determined to be the new home for the Church’s pastor and this was their open house. The council is well aware and this should be a dead issue.
Councilor Drew: Status update on the Parks Audit RFP.
Councilor Drew: Status update on the Buildings Audit RFP. … both of these are likely still stalled given budget and other more pressing issues.
Councilor Drew: Update on the Tyler Financial MUNIS implementation plan. … The City should invest free cash to get this outsourced and completed. It would be an investment in our future and with our chronic understaffing, we will never get this done.
Councilor Drew: Standardization of city employee email signatures.
Councilor Drew: Update on Fire Department fee adjustments for lift fees and ambulance rates.
Councilor Drew: Review of HHSI permit fees.
CONTRACTS
The contracts on tonight’s agendas fit nicely into topics, so I grouped them to show the real spend in any specific area.
Infrastructure and Paving
We should be asking where these funds are coming from (DPW budget or ch. 90 funds) and when the last time this work, every single one of these, was bid out.
C-26-94: Tread Milling Co. Inc.: Cold planing and profiling of bituminous surfaces — $28,800
C-26-95: Murray Paving and Reclamation, Inc.: Bituminous concrete pavement reclamation — $648,071
C-26-96: EJ Prescott, Inc.: Manhole frames, covers and gate boxes — $191,850
C-26-105: TASCO Construction: Manhole casting adjustments — $112,550
C-26-10: Richard F. D’Ambrosis, Inc.: On-call sidewalk repairs citywide — $1,142,843.50
Water Treatment Plant
We are always seeing new vehicles come up for vote. When was the last time we voted to liquidate a vehicle? Someone needs to ask for an accounting of our entire fleet and a review of our fleet policies. It’s long overdue and a likely spot of real savings that can be reinvested into our City. Councilor Drew hit on this a few meetings ago when he spoke about outsourced Fleet Management. It’s time to take a hard look.
C-26-97: McGovern MHQ, Inc.: 2026 Ford F350 service body truck with crane, via state contract — $136,307.33
C-26-98: Torromeo Industries: Sand, stone and gravel for the paving season — $85,603
Public Safety
Again, more vehicles are up for a vote. Why are we outfitting 5 new cruisers as we go into a hiring freeze? Why are we getting two vehicles as a Mobile Headquarters? Do we really need this? Seems frivolous given our circumstances.
The drone, on the other hand, will be instrumental in cracking down on the mopheads terrorizing Methune.
C-26-99: Safeware, Inc.: Skydio Night Sense drone, via state contract — $24,999.82
C-26-100: Island Tech Services: Outfitting five police vehicles — $60,546
C-26-101: McGovern MHQ: 2026 Ford Explorer and Chevy Equinox for the Police Department — $82,747
Energy
These are all with Energy Source, LLC of Smithfield, RI.
C-26-102: Replace oil burner at North Fire Station with a heat pump — $56,151
C-26-103: Install building management system to control HVAC at the High School — $122,581
C-26-104: Energy-efficient LED lighting at Methuen High School — $43,227
Additional Contracts
C-26-106: Black Earth Composting, LLC: Curbside food scrap collection program — $39,500
C-26-108: Waste Management of Londonderry: Hauling and disposal of transfer station construction and demolition material, three-year contract — $2,240,186
C-26-109: Cambire Consulting, LLC, Boston: Professional grant writing and consulting services — $75,000
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolutions
TR-26-50: Home Rule Petition regarding reinstatement of positions in a departmental unit according to seniority (subject of Monday’s public hearing, sponsored by Chair Soto, Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Valley and Mayor Beauregard).
I expect this to be quick and painless.
Ordinances
TO-26-13: An ordinance amending the nepotism section of the municipal code, Section 4-1(J), as amended. Sponsored by Chair Soto, the ordinance rewrites the city’s nepotism rules, broadening the definition of ‘family member’ to include spouses, children, stepchildren, in-laws, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and first cousins. It bars hiring family members into the same department, prohibits family members of department heads from working in that department, and requires that if two city employees in the same department become family members after the ordinance takes effect, one must transfer out within 90 days. Police and Fire are carved out of those provisions because both departments operate under state civil service law that the city cannot override locally. The ordinance applies prospectively only; no current employee loses their job because of it. It has been tabled and amended at prior meetings since it was first introduced in April.
The problem here is I can’t tell what’s been changed. Where are the redlines? Why is this such a problem and what is she really trying to accomplish? Previously, she stated this was about summer jobs but the resolution doesn’t cover summer jobs and, as the Mayor stated, we hired every applicant for summer jobs. What’s at play here?
TO-26-14: An ordinance adding a self-service gas station section to the municipal code, as amended. Sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio and Police Chief Scott McNamara. …. This is a second read. This was painful to watch last time. Chief McNamara was clearly uncomfortable having his name on this but he can’t say no to a sitting Councilor. This is a horrible idea and should be scrapped before we get some gas station worker killed.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Here’s what’s actually happening behind the resolution title…
TR-26-52: Restrict parking on Short Street to one side only. The change addresses congestion and safety on the narrow residential street. Sponsored by Councilors Pesce and Valley.
TR-26-53: Direct the Mayor and the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer to conduct a full review of the city’s insurance coverage and go out to bid for competitive quotes. The city has not formally shopped its insurance in some time and this would require a structured process to ensure taxpayers are getting the best value. Sponsored by Councilor Santos.
This one is going to be a ride for sure. We will be doing a full story on health insurance in the coming days.
TR-26-54: Accept the gift of a black ornamental fence with a 12-foot double arched gate for the historic Meeting House Hill Cemetery, donated by the Methuen Festival of Trees in honor of the city’s Tricentennial. The fence would enhance the appearance and security of one of Methuen’s oldest burial grounds. Sponsored by Mayor Beauregard and the Festival of Trees.
TR-26-55: Transfer $1,075,569 from free cash to the school budget to cover unanticipated special education costs in FY26. Special education expenses are notoriously difficult to predict and this transfer would keep the school department from ending the year in deficit on those services.
Well, to call these unanticipated expenses is a stretch but these are one time expenses so this is a good use of free cash. This will have a meaningful impact on the School budget.
TR-26-56: Transfer $850,000 from free cash into the Compensated Absences Reserve, the fund the city draws on to pay out accrued vacation and sick time when employees retire or separate. Keeping this reserve adequately funded prevents those payouts from hitting the operating budget unexpectedly.
TR-26-57: Transfer $500,000 from free cash into the Unemployment Reserve. The fund covers unemployment insurance claims filed by former city employees and needs to be kept solvent as the city navigates staffing changes. This fund will also be hit by those being furloughed on the City side and laid off on the School side in the coming weeks.
TR-26-58: Transfer $500,000 from free cash into the Worker’s Compensation Reserve. Workers’ comp claims from injured city employees are paid from this fund, and this transfer replenishes it heading into the new fiscal year.
TR-26-59: Transfer $150,000 from free cash into the Injured in the Line of Duty Reserve, which covers salary continuation for police officers and firefighters injured on the job as required by state law.
TR-26-60: Transfer $2,470,150 from free cash to the DPW Other Expenses account to cover Snow and Ice removal costs from this past winter. Snow and Ice is the one line item cities are legally allowed to deficit-spend, but the shortfall must eventually be reconciled, and this transfer closes that gap. Lets hope for a less eventful winter next year.
TR-26-61: Transfer $5,000,000 from free cash into the Health Insurance Trust Fund for FY2026. The trust fund pays employee and retiree health insurance claims, and this large transfer suggests claims have outpaced the amount budgeted for the current year.
This is why GIC is being pushed so hard by the Mayor. Simply, the City has never bothered to fund the Health Insurance Trust adequately or properly adjust premiums to ensure we cover the overages. Remember, as a self-funded entity, this is an uncapped liability which means it can go as high as it needs to since we can’t control it. No mayor before has tried to solve this problem because it’s ugly and you become the Mayor who took away the gold standard in health insurance. This is one to watch.
TR-26-62: Transfer $1,500,000 from free cash into the Health Insurance Trust Fund for FY2027, getting ahead of anticipated costs in the coming fiscal year before the budget officially turns over.
This, I believe, is to fund the health insurance trust to the level necessary for us to be admitted into GIC should that be the end result.
TR-26-63: Authorize a $22,500 draw from the Edwin J. Castle Fund to support the Methuen Youth and Community Center. The Castle Fund is a restricted trust that can be used for charitable and community purposes as defined by its terms. This will cover general programming and supplies.
TR-26-64: Accept a FY2027 State 911 Department Support and Incentive Grant of $180,964. The annual state grant helps fund Methuen’s emergency dispatch operations and offsets local taxpayer costs for running the 911 center.
TR-26-65: Authorize a $371,000 internal transfer between various FY26 General Fund personal services and expense line items. This is year-end housekeeping: moving money from accounts with surpluses to accounts that ran short, so the books close cleanly on June 30.
The request moves $100,000 from Essex Aggie and $271,000 from the Medicare line (both underspent due to enrollment) to cover the following:
Mayor Personal Service $500.00
City Council Personal Service $2,500.00
Fire Personal Service $50,000.00
Fire Other Expenses $20,000.00
Debt Service $262,000.00
Risk Management- Insurance premiums $36,000.00
We should be asking why? The Mayor’s office, the Council, and Debt Services are all very predictable to almost the penny. Why are we short? “Why” should be the question all around.
TR-26-66: Temporarily suspend the dedicated stabilization fund that had been set up to receive a portion of Methuen’s restaurant meals tax revenues. The meals tax money would instead flow into the general fund rather than being set aside, freeing up those dollars for immediate use.
Ordinances
TO-26-15: Strengthen the city’s existing dirt bike prohibition by adding real teeth: fines, formal enforcement authority and the ability to impound illegal off-road vehicles operating on public ways. The current ban has existed without meaningful enforcement mechanisms. Sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Santos and Chief McNamara.
TO-26-16: Update the section of the municipal code governing trash and recyclables collection, aligning the rules with the city’s current waste program and contracts. Sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio.
This is a necessary change to get a handle on our tonnage and management of the new(ish) cart program. It was never implemented properly or fully. This is a step in the right direction but people will be upset when they get a fine.
TO-26-17: Amend the municipal charges lien section of the code, which governs how the city places liens on properties for unpaid charges such as trash fees or other municipal assessments. Sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio.
Ordinances
TO-26-15: Add penalties, enforcement and impoundment provisions to the city’s existing dirt bike prohibition ordinance, sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio, Councilor Santos and Chief McNamara
TO-26-16: Amend the trash and recyclables collection section of the municipal code, sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio
TO-26-17: Amend the municipal charges lien section of the code, sponsored by Councilor DiZoglio
WATCH MONDAY’S MEETING
Monday’s meetings will be broadcast live on Channel 8 (Comcast) and Channel 32 (Verizon), and streamed at Methuen.gov/livestream and on YouTube at youtube.com/@MethuenMeetings. Archived video will be available within one to three business days at methuentv.cablecast.tv.
Our recap will be up following the meeting.