Written by: Dan Shibilia
With three catering trays on the table tonight, the council was ready for a long night, sort of. The Great Hall was full, the public comment list is long, and the night’s theme was clear early: nobody read their packets and they're upset about everything which includes trash.
The Solomon matter, which came up repeatedly in public comment and drew some of the sharpest remarks of the night. Plus lead pipes in the Arlington neighborhood, a finance department org chart that got awkward fast, and a big new trash contract that everyone has questions on but apparently they didn't want to ask them tonight.
Simard gets the award for best Councilor of the night. He's a man of few words but when he speaks, it's usually important. He startled the line of elected official and resident tonight beautifully.
Here’s everything, in order.
Roll Call
Everyone’s here in the room.
Acceptance of the Agenda
MacLaren asked to move TR-26-96 (the letter looking for money to address the lead pipes) up to right after consideration of appointments, because of the folks in the room. The motion to move it passes 8-1, with Drew voting no on the move. The agenda as amended passes unanimously.
Pledge of Allegiance / Invocation / Moment of Silence
The invocation was funny. It was clearly not lost on the room when Santos read the invocation about honor, dignity, and service. There was a moment of silence for Michael Homsey, a longtime Methuen resident.
Public Participation
A long list tonight.
Linda Soucy spoke about getting funding to fix the drinking water problem, where lead pipes need to be cleaned up. It’s an ongoing issue. “Safe, clean drinking water is not a luxury; it’s a necessity,” she said, and she thanked everyone for their support. She also asked about a hookah shop moratorium, saying the her neighborhood already has two. And she wants two people on trash and recycling trucks, especially in densely populated areas.
Ed Johnson reminded everyone that tomorrow is Election Day and said he wants the city to post election results online. His main issue was trash. He walked through the history of the program going back to when Methuen did pickup in-house, and argued for bringing it back in-house, since he says costs have risen 900% since the 90s.
Patricia O’Neil spoke in support of the Solomon letter. Methuen has been her home for 40-plus years, and she called the situation embarrassing and said “he (Solomon) has gotten away with too much.” She also wants Marsan to recuse himself since he was a councilor when this all happened. “Citizens of Methuen deserve to know the truth.” “Are you afraid of the truth?”
Carl Edwards, a member of a condo association that used to get recycling and had it taken away, says Beauregard’s office never made the dumpster offer to them. He accused the mayor of ghosting them and says he has documentation backing his story. His position: taxpaying residents should get the same service as those in housing.
Larry Smith, author of the Six Degrees of Corruption book, called on Marsan and Pesce to recuse themselves from the vote over personal and family ties. “All about the appearance of a conflict.”
Mike Simard. Yes, that Mike Simard, the Council. He signed himself up for public participation, got up from his chair at the table and approached the podium. A 30-year resident, he recounted his involvement in the Solomon “saga.” “Damn right it’s personal.” “If it’s not personal, you shouldn’t be here, never mind run for office.” He also took the council to task over running former Councilor Feretra out of office and the vote of no confidence on the last superintendent and the school committee. “Where’s that courage now?”
Barbara Ell called out the chair, basically calling her a liar for saying people don’t want this reopened, then proceeded to poll the room. She also took on the council’s criticism of poll workers and invited them to come work an election and see how it actually runs. Not everything needs to be a federal case, she said. It’s senior citizens running this and everoyne is doing the best they can with what they have.
Gil Rodriguez, an Emerald Pines resident and founder of a coalition of 55+ communities, is looking for “equality under taxes.” He’s not opposed to the housing authority; he just wants equality.
Jennifer Losielle is here to advocate for the people and bring them together through art. She wants the city to support local artists, arguing that art gives people a reason to visit and those visitors support other businesses too. She tied it back to the Solomon matter and funds associated with it, called for better spending of public money, and asked about the Flock cameras. She believes the city can do more.
Ann, director of the Housing Authority, gave a history and scope of services. These are low-income residents, she explained, and rent is set by law. She walked through how the budget works and how trash is managed, and noted that they don’t pay taxes but do pay a PILOT fee, which works like a tax. She believes the costs discussed by the council are inaccurate and gave a number of reasons why.
Two letters were also submitted on C-27-45, requesting that it be tabled so more people can participate, since residents are looking for services for condos and want to examine the MHA trash arrangements. They came from Joseph Browski and Gary Lewguski.
Organizational Business
Nothing recorded.
Reading and Acceptance of Minutes
October 19, 2026 Regular Meeting. Passes, Pesce voting present.
Proclamations / Correspondence
None.
Consideration of Appointments
Jeffrey Farelli, Superintendent of Building Maintenance (VIEW BACKUP).
Drew thinks he’s an excellent candidate. The mayor explained that Farelli couldn’t make it tonight but can come to a future meeting, if confirmed, to discuss the RFP. Passes unanimously.
Michael Welch, Conservation Commission (VIEW BACKUP).
Marsan acknowledged the board needs help and talked up Welch. Pesce echoed it. Passes unanimously.
Moved up on the agenda, as requested.
TR-26-96: A Joint Resolution Calling for State and Federal Funding for the Arlington Neighborhood Infrastructure Project (EPA Requested) (Requested by Mayor Beauregard and Councilor MacLaren)
MacLaren called it the “most obvious injustice in our community.” The mayor supports the effort as it’s an important safety issue. The city has already put in $13M and needs $80M-plus more, and he detailed the money expected from various members of the delegation.
Valley said she saw a video from Soucy showing the water hasn’t been tested. The mayor responded by saying the city is ahead of others on updating water infrastructure, but he never answered the question. Soucy confirmed from the audience that it has never been tested.
Drew said it’s ridiculous that this is what separates us from third-world nations.
Passes unanimously. The EPA version passes unanimously as well.
A resolution calling for funding is the easy vote, and nine for nine tells you that. The harder part is the question Valley asked and nobody answered: has the water been tested? Residents shouldn’t have to confirm that from the audience. I was able to confirm with Linda Soucy that the water has not been tested. That should be done and I can’t even fathom a reason for it not being done already.
Presentations / Projects / Department Updates
Punch 4 Parkinson’s presentation by Seán P. McCormack, BSN, RN: Well, this was a no go as the presentor didn’t show up.
Mayor’s Report
The mayor hit on a lot tonight:
Flu season: Health and Human Services is doing flu shots for staff and seniors.
Trash and recycling: Tonight’s contract is the trash reset he’s been promising for a while. Lower collection price, better resources, a new app and website for cart repair and bulk items, and a sticker system for barrel renewal. There’s also a bid for recycling in 55+ communities. The mayor is proud to recommend it, and the vendor is here for discussion later.
BILH crisis response: New clinician services are on the agenda. Last year cost $275K, and tonight’s contract is $138K, about 50% in savings. The clinicians help officers responding to mental health issues.
The Loop: Ongoing discussions with parties looking to bid. He reminded everyone this isn’t a business issue for the Loop itself; the company that ran it is in bankruptcy for other reasons.
GIC enrollment: Major progress. 100% enrolled for current employees. The schools have one enrollment pending and fewer than 20 retirees outstanding. He also previewed a vote on tonight’s item on health insurance for elected officials and recounted the savings and the process change.
Timony roof: A project that can’t wait, since classrooms are being relocated due to water intrusion. Expected cost is about $4M. Tonight’s contract is for engineering services.
Data centers: The moratorium is back up for a vote coming out of zoning.
Industrial zoning proposal: A major effort to update Methuen’s rules and make the city competitive and desirable.
Firefighter gear: He signed off on joining a class action with Revere over chemical and turnout gear. The manufacturer withheld information on PFAS.
Election Day is tomorrow. Go vote, and bring a children’s book to donate at polling stations.
Events. Lots of them. I will try to get a list up later.
Questions from the council: Drew asked for the tree lighting date. It’s Sunday, December 6.
CAFO Report
Searles Estate expenses and revenues (Req. of Clr. Soto): No changes.
City credit card use and limits (Req. of Clr. Soto): The city has two credit cards with a $10K max on each. They’re meant for items that can’t go through the warrant process and for true emergencies. Purchasing maintains, tracks, and reconciles the cards. Anyone can use them, but they’re signed out from purchasing and need a PO. A recent email went out saying the cards were maxed out; the CAFO said that was a timing issue from large purchases for upcoming events.
Drew asked why a $5,700 payment went on a credit card instead of an invoice. The CAFO said the DJ for the Halloween party has to be paid up front and the card gives the city security. Soto wanted to know why it’s only a $20K credit line for a business this size. The CAFO said it can be looked at, but credit cards shouldn’t be the go-to payment process. Drew asked whether it makes sense for the rec department to have a dedicated card.
The warrant process is the purchasing process which includes getting a purchase requisition and purchase order then waiting for payment to issue. Vendors like those used for events won’t wait for that. For them, credit cards make sense. Soto asking to increase them shows a lack of understanding of municipal finance.
Finance Department org chart (Req. of Clr. Soto): The CAFO handed out copies of the org chart and another sheet showing which departments roll up to the CAFOs office. The department is seven people in total. Soto asked about succession planning and who would take over if the CAFO were gone. The CAFO said no one: all the roles are autonomous, and everyone does all they can, but they aren’t CAFOs. “If and when you aren’t here,” Soto said. This got weird. Soto wants job descriptions. Drew asked why the city has a finance director with no direct reports: “What’s she directing?”
What’s she directing? …Finances, John.
A succession-planning question asked as “if and when you aren’t here” is not a great way to ask it, and the answer, that nobody else can do the job, is not a great one either. Both should have been handled outside a public meeting. The underlying question, who runs finance if the CAFO is out, is still a fair one but the way it sounds is that Soto is putting out a hit on the CAFO.
Payment procedures for School Department contracts and renewals (Req. of Chair Soto): Soto asked the CAFO to explain the warrant process. The CAFO explained that she reviews all purchase requisitions and reviews contracts as needed. Weekly warrants are signed by the school committee, reviewed by the CAFO, then reviewed by the mayor, and then funding can go out. Soto wants a detailed report on what happened and how it can be avoided, plus an independent opinion on IT expertise.
DiZoglio said there are ways to use existing resources. He was against consolidation and now wants to cross-train. He also wants to call vendors to validate that emails and invoices are real.
The council danced around an issue here. At the end of the day nothing bad happened. Long story short, a vendor was hacked and the city got a bill with a new bank account. The bill is due but that money would have gone to a bad actor. It was caught. The suggestion of calling vendors to verify invoices sounds sensible until you remember the city processes hundreds, if not thousands, a month. That’s not a control, it’s a full-time job we are already unstaffed for. The better question is why aren’t we working on a platform that vendors update their own banking info in the tool like companies all of the world use?
Requests of Councilors
MHA trash cost breakdown and tonnage fees (Soto): They should plan a meeting.
Unaccepted ways roadmap on the city website (Valley): There is a test site up.
Echo Lane sewer connection betterment fees (Valley): Residents want the same deal that was offered in the 80s, which isn’t realistic because the world is very different. The mayor will work on something and see what he can do for something comparable.
Buildings Audit RFP status (Drew): To be discussed with the new superintendent appointed earlier tonight.
HHSI permit fees review (Drew): Up at the next meeting for sure.
Solid waste tonnage / tipping fee report and FY’2028 contractor transition (Drew): Discussed in the mayor’s report.
GIC transition enrollment status (Drew): Discussed in the mayor’s report.
The Loop bankruptcy / sale update (Drew): Discussed in the mayor’s report.
Barrel fees: emails and follow-up calls (DiZoglio): Meetings scheduled.
DiZoglio also asked about employees on OBRA, those who are part-time or otherwise don’t qualify, and library staff. The library will be moving into the pension system.
Drew asked where the monthly tonnage update on the trash contract is. The mayor said it was in an email from a few days ago.
Public Service
A. Grants
Public Service Grant #31358901, Taft Avenue: National Grid to install one JO pole (new pole P4443) on Taft Avenue, approximately 40 feet northwest of the centerline of the intersection with Goodrich Avenue (VIEW BACKUP). Passes unanimously.
B. Licenses
None.
C. Contracts
C-27-40: United Compressor & Pump Services, Inc. (Plaistow, NH), Replacement of One Sewer Pump at Bridle Path Lane, $32,891.63Includes removal and disposal of the old pump, with all labor, materials, and equipment included.
Drew asked why the two bids were so different and whether the scope is covered. DPW Director Bower said yes. Valley asked about quote expiration, and Bower said it’s fine. Passes unanimously.
C-27-41: SHI International Corp. (Somerset, NJ), CityWorks Asset Management Software, Authorized Users and One-Year Subscription, $38,684.21
Valley noted the quote has expired. Bower said the office is on it and that this is a renewal they use daily. Soto asked if this is the project management tool. Bower explained it’s mostly a water department tool to catalog everything they do. Drew asked the same question. Bower explained it’s GIS functions, restated what he’d told Soto, and described it as asset management and work order management. Passes unanimously.
C-27-42: Jessica Powers (Salem, MA), Full-Time One-Year Grant Position, Data Cataloger for the Historical Commission, $72,800.00
Valley asked if it’s a matching grant. It isn’t. Drew asked about deliverables. The mayor explained this is digitizing over 50,000 items to move from paper to digital. Dan Gagnon, president of the Historical Commission, explained it’s a three-year grant, the city retains all of the information, and it’ll be online. Passes unanimously.
C-27-43: Andrew Brockway & Associates (Acton, MA), Engineering Services for Architectural Needs of Certain Parts of the Timony Grammar Roof, $29,000.00
Valley needed clarification on minutes from June 2023 saying Timony was renovated. The mayor said it was the Tenney that was done then. Valley read the minutes outload. The mayor said the minutes are wrong, and it’s the Tenney.
Marsan questioned the type of roof chosen. The mayor said this is just engineering and is far from finalized. Drew asked which parts of the roof. The mayor said it’s the whole roof and he doesn’t know why the agenda item was worded that way. Drew was worried about scope. The mayor said he has faith in the scope thanks to Bruce Stella and his guidance and leadership on this project.
Passes 8-1, Drew voting no.
C-27-44: Northeast Behavioral Health Corporation (Danvers, MA), Mental Health Care and Jail Diversion Program, $138,129.00
An effort to sustain the PATH program’s services in a more fiscally prudent way. A rep from BILH gave an overview and explained that this ties into the CBHC (Community Behavioral Health Center) program, with a clinician embedded with MCI (Mobile Crisis Intervention).
Santos asked if anyone is going to be the police department, a point that had been explained many times already tonight. The mayor explained it again. Marsan pointed out that his packet was missing Attachments A and B, and the mayor directed him to where they are. Drew asked about performance data to understand where things stand at renewal time. The rep said they track everything. Drew asked for reports every four months to show status. Simard said he worked with them when he was in Lawrence and called them “the gold standard.” Valley asked who they report to. The mayor said it’s dual track, with the PD and the Health Department. Soto asked about the PAC car, and the mayor said he needs to follow up on that.
Passes unanimously.
C-27-45: Waste Management of Londonderry, Inc., Curbside Trash and Recycling, Plus Dumpster Pickup at Certain Locations
Amount, as listed:
Year 1: Annual Rate $2,689,790 / Monthly Rate $224,150
Year 2: Annual Rate $2,824,284 / Monthly Rate $235,357
Year 3: Annual Rate $2,965,498 / Monthly Rate $247,125
Year 4: Annual Rate $3,113,773 / Monthly Rate $259,481
Year 5: Annual Rate $3,269,461 / Monthly Rate $272,455
The mayor restated that this is the culmination of the trash reset. Waste Management was in the room. “In for a significant step up,” the mayor said.
The vendor introduced themselves, and Soto interjected to suggest the body would need more than 5 to 10 minutes. The mayor said that if the council waits, the city will likely need to rent trucks, and he explained that the lead time for the vendor to get trucks is the issue.
Drew said he didn’t get the contract until Thursday of last week and called having to pass it tonight “BS.” Trash is the “single most visible issue our city sees every day,” he said, and noted that after the mayor touted the size of the vendor, it still needs six months.
DiZoglio asked about barrels. The mayor asked if he had read the contract. DiZoglio said yes, “sort of.” Waste Management said it does provide barrels but has agreed to use the city’s existing ones, and that the city remains in control of them throughout the contract. Simard said the council may need more time, and that he feels bad about the HOA equity and MHA questions that are still open.
The solicitor said this is an executive function, the council only appropriates, and suggested asking the CAFO what was discounted on the basis of passing quickly for lead time. Soto doubled down on needing more time. The CAFO explained that avoiding truck rentals saves the city $165K. The vendor said it has capacity for regular levels of service but not enough to add a whole city. The plan is to buy five new trucks for the city at about $500K per truck, and the vendor noted that lead times of 12 to 18 months are the norm for trucks. The vendor said it is willing to hedge the bet, as a goodwill gesture, and eat the rental costs in exchange for a quick signing.
Drew asked if this could wait a week for a special meeting. The vendor said it has already extended, so it needs to happen soon. The bid dates from May, and Drew wanted to know why it took so long and why they didn’t get it right. He asked about the term, and the solicitor explained it’s five years and subject to appropriation. The solicitor also laid out the benefits negotiated into the contract, since his office actually read it.
Simard supported holding it so the body and residents can get answers. Marsan suggested a special meeting next Monday, with a public hearing beforehand. The vendor pointed out the city’s flexibility on dumpster placement and fill.
Motion to table. Passes unanimously.
My take…
The council clearly didn’t read the contract. If they had questions, they should have sent them ahead of time. That’s the job. DiZoglio is the only one who asked a question while the rest complained about not having time to ask questions. If they wanted a special meeting, they should have scheduled it for tomorrow or Wednesday. This is peacocking.
All this talk about questions: so ask your damn questions.
Other Officers and Committee Reports
Unaccepted Ways Committee: Valley restated the plan the mayor discussed for getting roads paved. The roads around the lake that were taken by eminent domain are to be added to the CIP for 2027.
Public Safety: Meeting Thursday at 4:30.
Unfinished Business
Resolutions
TR-26-90: A Joint Resolution Calling for the Reopening of the Federal Investigation into Corruption Involving the Former Leadership of the Methuen Police Department (Requested by Mayor Beauregard and Councilor Simard). Charter objected October 19, 2026.
Marsan explained that he spoke with the solicitor before his vote, called Ethics, and will be recusing himself. Pesce said she also called Ethics, and because her dad was mayor and he could be called as a witness, she is recusing herself too, both on the advice of Ethics.
Simard said he doesn’t think Pesce doesn’t have a conflict. DiZoglio praised Marsan and Pesce for calling Ethics, then talked about how he was a protester when this happened confirming this is personal.
The mayor spoke about how they tried to deliver a victim impact statement until the judge decided the victim wasn’t a victim. He reminded the council of the huge civil liability and how this resolution may protect the city for all the arrests made by Fountain.
Santos, Valley, and Soto voted no. Passes 4-3, with Marsan and Pesce recused.
My Take…
Marsan and Pesce got the easy way out. Now they don’t need to speak on the issue. They can hide behind the council door. Meanwhile, Soto, Santos, and Valley all voted no without a single comment. I can’t be the only one who thinks a no vote on something like this deserves something more….
TR-26-93: Acceptance of a Fiscal Year 2025 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Award, $27,999.02 (Request of Mayor Beauregard) (VIEW BACKUP). Passes unanimously, with no discussion at all.
TR-26-94: Acceptance of a $48,759.90 Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fiscal Year 2027 Federal Municipal Road Safety Grant (Request of Mayor Beauregard) (VIEW BACKUP). Passes unanimously, no discussion.
TR-26-95: Resolution Accepting a Gift of Equipment from Planet Fitness to the Fire Department. Passes unanimously, with Drew thanking the FD for the list.
Ordinances
TO-26-20, Amended: An Ordinance Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers in the City of Methuen (removed from the table) (VIEW LETTER). A friendly amendment reverted to the table of use regulations from the earlier document. Passes unanimously. The main motion passes unanimously.
New Business
Resolutions
TR-26-97: Acceptance of a 2026 Sustainable Materials Recovery Program / Recycling Dividends Program Municipal Grant, $36,000 (Requested by Mayor Beauregard). Passes unanimously, no discussion.
TR-26-98: Transferring $33,000 from the Edwin J. Castle Fund to Fund Various Awards (Requested by the Commission on Trust Funds). Valley asked about the formation of a training program and a restriction to Methuen residents. The decision was made by the Castle Fund. Drew said that in his research he was told the fund is for Methuen and the people of Methuen. The mayor explained that the city does things other cities have nonprofits do, like the Santa parade and the food drive when SNAP was frozen.
Drew moved to update the third item to $2,000 to the American Legion for the band, correcting an error that referenced the Santa parade. Passes unanimously. The main motion passes unanimously.
TR-26-99: Resolution Regarding Group Insurance Commission Eligibility (EPA Requested) (Requested by Mayor Beauregard)
The mayor restated that it’s an option available to the city and up to the council to vote. He explained the changes in going from self-insured to GIC.
Pesce said she was told by State Ethics to abstain from the vote, and the solicitor told her she needs to leave the room. Simard confirmed that this trumps the ordinance in place. The solicitor explained the step is required by the GIC.
Simard asked whether MassHealth members would lose coverage if the city offered them GIC. The solicitor said no, that’s not how it works. The mayor said he spoke with the EOHHS secretary, confirming GIC and MassHealth run together with MassHealth as secondary.
DiZoglio asked about OBRA, and how some staff won’t get insurance while the council wants to take it. The solicitor said the consultant says there are plans for the OBRA people. Drew asked if the city is legally required to give all part-time employees health insurance. The solicitor said no. The conversation continued around part-time employees and the GIC rules.
Soto asked about the financial impact. The mayor said it’s all different. Valley asked how the CAFO came up with three councilors, and the CAFO said she heard from three.
The resolution fails unanimously, with Pesce out of the room.
TR-26-100: A Resolution Authorizing a Home Rule Petition Relative to Unaccepted Ways Maintenance (Requested by Mayor Beauregard and the Unaccepted Ways Committee). The mayor explained the process and how it works in other cities. He listed off a lot of roads that aren’t accepted, including Ranger Road, the entry to the high school. Passes 8-1, Drew voting no.
Ordinances
TO-26-22: An Ordinance to Modernize the Industrial Zoning Ordinance of the City of Methuen and Promote Economic Competitiveness (Requested by Mayor Beauregard and the Industrial Zoning Working Group). Procedurally this needs to be tabled for Community Development and a public hearing. Tabled it goes.
Any Other Business
None recorded.
Adjourn
That’s a wrap on November 2, 2026. The full agenda is available at the City of Methuen website and meetings are archived at MethuenTV.
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