Written by: Dan Shibilia
Monday night’s meeting had a little of everything: lead pipes, e-bike assaults, school contracts nobody can agree on and a Solicitor who likely wouldn’t do well under oath, and a federal corruption investigation that the city’s own leaders are still arguing about supporting a request to reopen.
Best councilor of the night goes to Drew. He asked about the VSO’s unmet needs, contract management software, and trash accountability, and then spent real time making sure next year’s paving list isn’t overly ambitious. Good questions all night. Not glamorous, but it’s the job. Then he stepped up big to ensure the letter to the feds on the police department investigation lived to see another day.
The headline is TR-26-90, the joint resolution calling for the federal investigation into the former police leadership to be reopened. It did not get a vote. It did get a procedural fight, and the tally on a failed motion to table tells you plenty about where people stand.
Full disclosure: I spoke during public participation, so you’ll see my name below. I tried to keep the reporting straight and put my opinions in the italics.
Roll Call / Agenda
Pesce was absent. The agenda was accepted with no changes.
Pledge / Invocation / Moment of Silence
The invocation leaned heavily on Jesus. There was also a moment of remembrance for Don Ruccio.
Public Participation
Seven people spoke in person, and two statements were submitted in writing.
Laurie Keegan*, a School Committee member, walked through the history and process behind the school contracting problems. Her point: the delays hold up services and products for students, and they cost the city more money.
Dan Shibilia (yours truly) spoke in support of fixing the school contract process, but focused on TR-26-90 and the call to reopen the federal investigation. I asked the council to do the right thing.
Greg Curtis described an incident on the rail trail where he and other walkers were assaulted by a group of teens on e-bikes. He said the police have photos of the kids involved and hope the city can do something for long-term safety along the trail.
Linda Soucy spoke about the condition of the water pipes in the Arlington district and the ongoing effort to remove lead service lines. She called it a long-overdue basic safety issue. She said she has spoken with much of the legislative delegation and is working on securing the funding. She also raised a moratorium on hookah request.
Ruth Estes also spoke in support of getting the Arlington neighborhood project done.
Jade Jalbert spoke in support of the investigation letter and described the unresolved matter in strong terms. She also called out Marsan over comments made at the last meeting and his potential conflict of interest as he voted to support Solomon and others when this whole thing started. Near the end of her statement, Chair Soto started a side conversation with the clerk, and Jalbert called her out for not paying attention.
Diane Alaimo spoke in favor of the letter and voiced frustration that her councilors (East End, Marsan, and Soto) did not sign on. She appreciated the letter drafted by the mayor and Simard.
Two written statements were also submitted:
Alejandro Baez*, a School Committee member, wrote in support of resolving the school contract issues.
Sid Harris urged the mayor to appoint a city official to the Commission on Disabilities, which is a state requirement.
*Comments made by these School Committee members reflect their own opinions and not that of the body.
Minutes
The minutes of the October 5, 2026 regular meeting and the correction to the September 24, 2026 special meeting were taken up together. Soto asked for a change to a statement attributed to her, and it was approved and accepted. The second set of minutes was approved.
Proclamations / Correspondence
None.
Appointments
Marylin Murphy, Council on Aging. Appointed with no discussion.
Presentation: Veterans Service Officer, 90 Days in Review
Jordan Normandia presented on his first three months. He’s focused on three things: supporting veterans and their families, supporting existing programs, and making services more accessible.
Some of the highlights include…
20 active cases and upwards of 100 walk-in visits
$42,000 in benefits obtained for veterans in 90 days
Help with benefit and rate increases, annuities, housing assistance, and transportation, plus services for surviving spouses and families
House calls, community office hours, and work with nonprofits and other local VSOs
Accreditation in progress and expected soon
Drew asked about the biggest unmet need. Jordan said administrative outreach: many vets don’t know about their benefits or don’t want to ask. Drew asked what the council can do to help. Jordan’s answer: send people his way and spread the word.
In his presentation, the VSO mentioned Chapter 115 and “the Woods” on multiple occasions. Soto asked him to clarify Chapter 115, and Jordan explained the state aid program for veterans which he often helps them apply for benefits. She also asked about housing options available, questioning his mention of “the Woods,” he explained it’s senior housing.
That senior housing is, for the record, in her own district.
Jordan also shared a list of upcoming events. I will be connecting with him to share those here.
Mayor’s Report
The mayor started with the Arlington lead pipe issue raised during public participation. He said $13 million has been spent so far and $88 million is still needed. He said everyone from local officials to the federal delegation is working on it. He also blamed federal “big beautiful bill” cuts for holding up state-approved funds.
Other items:
Facilities audit: A meeting with Trane is set, and they’ll work toward the audit RFP. Because Trane is a state vendor, the audit would be free to Methuen.
Paving: Continues over the next few weeks, with about 8 miles of roadway expected to be completed. There was also a lot of conversation about what will get done in the spring and how the next fiscal year plan may be over ambitious.
Trash and recycling: 30 carts went out in September and 20 so far in October. Turnaround is about two weeks from order to delivery. The city is working on contacting people about fees.
Constellations program: Ongoing, with a full report coming next week. Systems and training are still works in progress.
Police chief search: The cost is covered by the HR other expenses fund.
Superintendent search: The consultant will meet with groups of parents.
Zoning modernization: Nearly done, aimed at attracting businesses in fields like life sciences and R&D. The mayor said it could also draw breweries and wineries.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library: A program mailing books to children under 5, with more at the November meeting.
Reminders: Employees and retirees must enroll in the GIC, because enrollment is not automatic. He also covered Halloween, early voting, the vets parade, and the Santa parade.
No changes since the last meeting on Searles, and nothing new on back taxes.
CAFO Report
The CAFO was not present. Soto used the absence to raise continuity planning for what happens if something happens to the CAFO. Two items were on the list:
Update on Searles Estate expenses and revenues (Soto). No change since last meeting, per the mayor.
Status on outstanding back taxes and recovery to date, first asked at the beginning of the year (Drew). Nothing new, per the mayor.
The whole exchange was awkward. It almost felt like Soto was trying to plan a hit or a contract nonrenewal of the CAFO.
Requests of Councilors
MHA Trash Collection and Tonnage Fees (Soto): The mayor suggested a meeting to get everyone on the same page. Soto circled back to condos and their desire for trash pickup. The mayor said he offered dumpsters, but condo owners don’t want them. Soto’s point was that housing residents don’t pay taxes while condo owners do.
It’s important to note that the City never took away curb side trash pick up from condos and neighborhoods in associations. They never had it. They knew it moving into those homes. To compare these residents and the tax status to those of public housing is insulting and simply ignorant.
School Contracts and the Legal Department (Soto): The mayor pointed to duplicated services between the city and schools, including IT and HR, and said monthly meetings with everyone involved are coming. The solicitor said every contract the schools sent has been processed. He cited last year’s boiler contract and said he wants renewals handled in May instead of August. The open question is who is responsible for that: the school side or the vendor. He explained that all goods and services go through legal and said the schools aren’t following the rules.
Soto, to her credit, said she wants to smooth the process, which is long overdue.
Drew asked about a contract management system. The solicitor said IT has no idea. Drew wants to figure out how to get one. DiZoglio wanted the focus kept on what students need.
Then came the contradiction. The solicitor insisted there are zero contracts sitting with legal. Soto said the letter delivered today from the school business superintendent says there are three.
Since these comments, I have confirmed with 2 school committee members that this is inaccurate. There are contracts sitting with the Solicitor.
Two city officials, one letter, and no agreement on whether three contracts exist. Whatever the real number is, this is exactly why Keegan came to the podium and Beaz submitted a public participation piece. Parents and Students don’t care whose fault the paperwork is. A shared tracking system would settle this argument in about five minutes, and Drew is right to push for one. Also a CLM (contract management tool) is basic functioning for any business with contracts.
Unaccepted Ways Website Roadmap (Valley): The mayor said it’s still in the works. A demo will be sent to Valley for feedback before it goes live.
Echo Lane Sewer Betterment and Upfront Costs (Valley): The mayor explained that the money is available in the CIP to pay upfront. The mayor believes residents are hung up on the concept of a betterment and having to pay it back. Valley wants to know whether the city will cover the cost for residents. The solicitor explained the mechanics: the cost is assessed to homeowners over 20 years. The mayor acknowledged that residents are hoping to avoid any betterment payment.
Buildings Audit RFP Status (Drew): Addressed in the mayor’s report.
Email Signature Standardization (Drew): The mayor said he’s seeing the new signature but has no way to measure adoption. If you see anyone not using it, tell him. He joked that the council is also invited to adopt it.
HHSI Permit Fees Review (Drew): A finalized version will be in front of the council in November.
2026 Paving Program (Drew): Already addressed, though Drew spent a good amount of time making sure next year’s list isn’t overly ambitious.
Constellations Program Update (Drew): Already addressed.
Trash and Recycling Performance and FY2028 Transition (Drew): Drew thinks the current contractor is missing more pickups lately and wants to hold them accountable. His point: they can’t mail it in for the final nine months of the contract.
Valley said she worked with IT on a trash app for schedule lookups and other trash issues, launching next week. DiZoglio asked why the contractor hasn’t been held accountable. The solicitor said the city doesn’t jump straight to fines, and that working things out is easier than penalizing. He said he’d only assess fines if directed to by the DPW director.
Simard asked about the transfer station and bulk pickup. The mayor said the senior bulk pickup program is growing and runs on the honor system, so it may need a look. Drew wants an update on tonnage.
ALPR / Flock Replacement (Drew): The mayor said he’s working with the CIO on alternatives and has heard from many residents thanking him for moving away from Flock, with none in support. He called it an ongoing conversation at all levels. Drew asked directly whether the mayor intends to move away from Flock. The mayor answered that Flock is done and dead: with no appropriation, it has no money.
Permanent Police Chief Search (Drew): Already addressed.
Barrel Fee Follow-Up (DiZoglio): Already addressed. The mayor added that a robocall and a draft email are planned.
Contracts
C-27-39: Blue Integrity Consulting, LLC (Salem, MA), Police Chief Executive Search, $29,500.00
Drew asked why this wasn’t the lowest bid. The mayor said the difference is small, about $1,500, and that the firm’s local value and experience make it the best value over lowest cost. Drew had clearly read the recent article, and he asked the question I posed: is this the same firm? The mayor confirmed it is not.
Simard explained that the price is lower because this isn’t a nationwide search, which the city doesn’t need. He called the consultant the gold standard in the state and said he has faith in the process. Soto objected and said Simard should face the same scrutiny over talking to the consultant that she gets when she talks to people.
Passes unanimously.
I’ll admit I couldn’t help but snicker when Soto asked that Simard get the same scrutiny she gets for talking to people. Here’s the thing: scrutiny isn’t a flat tax that everyone owes equally. It follows track record. Simard spoke with a consultant about a search the whole council was voting on, in public, with the mayor answering Drew’s questions about price and the firm’s background on the record. That’s a councilor doing homework before spending $29,500 of taxpayer money. The scrutiny Soto gets comes from her own past behavior and actions, and no amount of “what about him?” changes that. If she wants to be held to the same standard as Simard, the path is simple: put the city first, every time, the way he has for his entire tenure on the Council. Standards are earned, not requested. This starts by supporting the letter to reopen the investigation.
Committee Reports
None.
Unfinished Business / Resolutions
TR-26-89: Resolution to Amend TR-13-8, Annual Performance Evaluations for City Council Employees (Soto)
Passed without a single word of discussion. 7-1-1, Simard voting no.
TR-26-90: Joint Resolution of the Mayor and City Council Calling for the Reopening of the Federal Investigation into Corruption Involving the Former Leadership of the Methuen Police Department (Mayor Beauregard and Simard)
After the motion was made and seconded, there was an awkward silence. Finally, Drew acknowledged that the public wants this and that the full body should be present. He moved to table, seconded by DiZoglio.
Marsan, Santos, Valley, and Soto voted no, and the motion to table failed.
Drew then raised a charter objection to move the resolution to the next regular meeting. Simard and DiZoglio supported locking it in. MacLaren was right there with them.
Drew’s charter objection was a hero move and I didn’t see it coming. The resolution now lands at the next regular meeting. So, unless one of the 5 original supporters are absent, or flip, it should pass. It will be nice to see Councilor Pesce take this vote after her comments at the last meeting.
Meanwhile, four councilors voted against even delaying the vote. That’s an awkward position, and it says a lot about who they’re answering to. I think this was very likely planned but of course I can’t prove that.
TR-26-92: Resolution Accepting a Gift of 9/11 Memorial Banners (DiZoglio)
Passes unanimously, no comments.
Unfinished Business / Ordinances
TO-26-21: Ordinance Amending the Wage and Salary Classification Plan, Unaffiliated, to Add the Position of Sealer of Weights and Measures
Passes unanimously, no comments.
New Business
Open Meeting Law Complaint, dated September 9, 2026. Referred to legal, unanimous.
Open Meeting Law Complaint, dated September 29, 2026. Referred to legal, unanimous.
New Business / Resolutions
TR-26-93: Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Fiscal Year 2025 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Award, $27,999.02 (Mayor Beauregard) — backup
Passes unanimously, no comments.
TR-26-94: Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a $48,759.90 Commonwealth of Massachusetts FY2027 Federal Municipal Road Safety Grant (Mayor Beauregard) — backup
Passes unanimously, no comments.
TR-26-95: Resolution Accepting a Gift of Equipment from Planet Fitness to the Fire Department
Drew asked who put this on the agenda and was told the mayor brought it forward. He asked what the equipment is. The deputy chief said it’s eight pieces, including treadmills, StairMasters, and some weights. Santos asked where it’s going, and the deputy chief said it will be shared across the stations.
That’s a wrap on October 19, 2026. The full agenda is available at the City of Methuen website and meetings are archived at MethuenTV.
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