Written by: Dan Shibilia
I’m a little late watching and recapping the full day our illustrious Council had on the 21st as they powered through three separate meetings, but better late than never, right!
Best moment of the night: Valley asking the solicitor a direct question about whether a contract amendment could be handled internally, the solicitor saying no, and Valley immediately contradicting him anyway. It was real peak city council energy.
Here’s everything, in order.
GLTS (Greater Lawrence Technical School) Meeting
The meeting started with a technical fumble: Pesce was absent, Valley was in a CoChair meeting, and the GLTS superintendent’s microphone either wasn’t on or was broken. Soto clarified that people could actually hear him, spoiler alert, they couldn’t, so the superintendent kept going, inaudible, until someone got it fixed. Not the vibe you want when you’re trying to reset a relationship.
Once the mic worked, the superintendent came in genuinely trying to move past years of tension. He laid out what he believes the council’s asks are, walked through their program offerings and revenue models, and led with the one piece of good news: student enrollment is up to 1,900 and 21 of those new students coming from Methuen, which means the city’s GLTS allocation is going up.
Soto pushed for visits and exploration of what GLTS can offer to be offered in 7th grade instead of 8th. The superintendent offered to present directly to 7th or even 6th graders to help them understand their options. Drew went further, asking whether the city could pitch in as a co-op provider for vocational skills, plumbing, electrical, etc. The Mayor mentioned he’s meeting with the superintendent soon to discuss having GLTS students help with projects at Searles Estate.
Then DiZoglio asked the question that always comes up: how come Methuen pays so much more than other communities? He called out the salaries. The superintendent defended the position but didn’t really answer the root tension… which is that GLTS costs keep rising and Methuen keeps footing an outsized bill.
[My take]: This olive branch might actually stick, but only if Methuen sees concrete wins, either lower costs, more visible programs, or students coming back with actual job skills to help offset costs in town. One nice meeting doesn’t fix years of sticker shock.
Soto, who acknowledged that roll call had never been formally taken, ran it at the end along with a vote to close. Meeting adjourned.
National Grid Pole Installation Meeting
Valley called roll. Pesce still absent. National Grid was present to answer questions about their work.
National Grid gave a brief description of the jobs: installing utility poles. Drew asked the key questions… have abutters been notified? Will there be street disruption? National Grid said both poles were going in grass, so no disruption to the street or abutters.
No public participation. That was it. Meeting closed.
Regular City Council Meeting
Roll Call / Agenda
8 present. Pesce absent due to a conflict.
Simard moved acceptance of the agenda; Valley seconded. Drew moved to amend the agenda to include a presentation by Friends of Searles Estate at line 9. Passes 8-0. (Soto acknowledged it was her oversight to leave it off.) Amended agenda passes 8-0.
Pledge of Allegiance / Invocation / Moment of Silence
Yet another invocation loaded with catholic guilt as Santos weaves in “Heavenly Father” and “In the Name of the Father.” I hit this every two weeks. City Hall is no place for religion but apparently I am the only one who feels this way. Two residents who recently passed were acknowledged in the moment of silence.
Public Participation
Mike Hamel spoke about the Echo Lane project, walking through its history back to 2017 and advocating for it to finally move forward.
Tom Gioroso also spoke in support of Echo Lane, echoing the sentiment that it’s past time to get it done.
Brad Jones, a GLTS school board member, spoke on Searles Estate. He suggested converting the nursing home facilities into senior housing, which he said could yield a good number of one-bedroom units with a little work. He also mentioned potential for shows and other uses. On a smaller note, he called out that the weights and measures stickers at Haffner’s were outdated, representing missed revenue to the city.
[My take]: Brad Jones just quietly identified a revenue stream everyone else missed. City government runs on these kinds of small wins. The Searles Estate conversion is the big dream, but fixing the weights-and-measures stuff? That’s the kind of thing that actually happens.
Minutes
Minutes from Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Regular Meeting passed 8-0, no discussion.
Proclamations / Correspondence
None.
Consideration of Appointments
None.
Presentations / Projects / Department Updates
Friends of the Searles Estate presented on their work to increase awareness and activity. They’ve brought in volunteers to clean up the grounds and keep facilities ready. They’ve secured grants to fund improvements. Their stated goal is to augment the city’s efforts, not replace them.
It was actually a great presentation and worth going to watch if you have any interest in the Estate.
Mayor’s Report
The Mayor opened by recapping the Solomon situation stating the city will pursue recovery of the approximately $1 million in pension already paid to him. He noted, pointedly, that “despite what his supporters say on social media,” Solomon pleaded guilty admitting he did the awful things he was accused of doing. He and Simard will work to ensure the federal charges against Solomon and his co-conspirators are prosecuted.
Schools: High school open house is this week; Friday is a half day. Grammar school libraries are looking for volunteers.
Paving is ongoing and “very ambitious.” He’s working with Soto on a home rule petition to fund unaccepted ways paving. Trash and recycling contract is coming this fall… he called it a “hard reset.”
He’s pursuing wage and salary classification (coming next meeting) to bring back weights and measures. City solar project is on track; additional savings expected in early 2027. GIC is on track for 1/1/27.
He urged the council, while acknowledging it’s “not his lane”, not to release any executive session minutes to unindicted co-conspirator Greg Gallant. This is the root cause of the executive session looking to have minutes released.
Updates on upcoming events, some rescheduled due to weather.
[My take]: When the Mayor has to publicly ask the council not to leak confidential session minutes to someone involved in criminal conspiracy, you’re in weird territory. The fact that this had to be said at all tells you something about the temperature and loyalties in the room.
CAFO Report
Searles Estate Expenses & Revenues (Requested by Soto)
$4.1 million in expenses, including purchase and utilities.
Outstanding Back Taxes Status & Recovery (Requested by Drew)
Progress is being made, but as items roll off the collection list, new ones are added, so the total amount owed is actually rising. Drew asked how the city fixes this. The CAFO said that before she arrived, this situation just sat. They now have an attorney working it and have collected millions over the last few years.
DiZoglio wanted to move faster and use the $7 million to do things like hire teachers and fix schools. The Mayor explained it’s not that simple. Valley asked and the solicitor confirmed that tax titles are in place for all properties. DiZoglio pressed the point: he’s not trying to force people out of their homes, but for folks who haven’t paid in years and clearly aren’t trying, the city should be foreclosing. Santos asked if the city could be more aggressive. The CAFO explained that there are legal limits, and the attorneys are being aggressive within the law.
Soto called for a review of equity-theft laws and asked the solicitor to review whether a new resolution is needed to auction off homes the city owns due to tax takings.
[My take]: DiZoglio is right that $7 million sitting on the books is ridiculous. But he’s also running into the wall that city government always hits: the law. The city can’t just seize people’s homes faster because it would be convenient. You need to hate the problem and respect the limits at the same time.
Requests of Councilors
Methuen Housing Authority Trash Collection Cost Breakdown (Soto)
Soto asked the Mayor for “the number”… a cost breakdown and tonnage for trash collection services through the city’s municipal trash contract. The Mayor said he’s working with Harvey and will have a memo by week’s end.
Unaccepted Ways Website Roadmap (Valley)
Valley requested that the City Solicitor and DPW develop a dedicated website section with a step-by-step roadmap for the acceptance of unaccepted ways, including process overview, online forms, eligibility, fees, timelines, and contact info. Soto said this might be moot due to the home rule petition (see above) a few weeks back. The Mayor said it’s still an issue and the project should go forward anyway.
Echo Lane Sewer Connection in 2027 CIP (Valley)
The Mayor said Echo Lane will be in the Capital Improvement Plan and is bonded. The question is whether the city can front the money. That needs legal confirmation. Valley asked about cost and betterment. The CAFO said it’s $450,000.
Buildings Audit RFP Status (Drew)
The Mayor said the building maintenance superintendent position is in transition. Once the new person starts, this will be back on track. Drew took issue as he wants a clear roadmap to ensure the city is doing what’s needed. He cited Milk Street as an example: “Last week we were surveying Milk Street and now we are paving.” There was more back-and-forth, but the underlying point was that the Mayor has been “drinking from the fire hose” and this just hasn’t been a priority. Drew insisted the city needs this tool to plan.
City Employee Email Signature Standardization (Drew)
The Mayor has adopted it and so have others. The issue, as the Mayor pointed out, is that the graphic in the signature doesn’t work well in Mobile biew. Drew said they can work together with IT to solve the graphic issues in the signature.
HHSI Permit Fees Review & Update (Drew)
These are being voted on. Drew asked how long. The Mayor projects October.
Barrel Fees Update (DiZoglio)
This is more of the same DiZoglio show. The Mayor explained how OpenGov is used for permitting. He said no, the city doesn’t have staff sitting there sending emails and making follow-up calls. They have a plan for barrel fee renewals. DiZoglio was intensely focused on barrel fees and again brings up wanting to refund fees paid because other people haven’t paid theirs… essentially wanting equity through across-the-board refunds. He “rants” and the Mayor lets him “blow off steam.”
Water Department & Treasurer’s Office Billing Issues (DiZoglio & Soto)
Residents have had issues with bills not showing a carry-forward. The Mayor agreed and will work with IT to update the billing software.
Department Check-Acceptance Inconsistencies (DiZoglio)
Some departments accept checks; some don’t. Public Safety won’t accept them due to security issues.
Public Service
Grants
P.S. Grant #31193015 – Pleasant Street, National Grid JO Pole Installation
Moved by Drew; seconded by Marsan. Passes 8-0.
P.S. Grant #31194501 – Jackson Street, National Grid JO Pole Installation
Moved by Drew; seconded by Valley. Passes 8-0.
Contracts
C-27-29 – Amendment of Employment Contract, Scott J. McNamara (Removed from Table)
This came off the table unanimously. Drew read a letter from McNamara, the former police chief, laying out his view of the events that led to this amendment. Soto voiced concerns that this is being brought up now that McNamara is gone. She believed the Mayor should be able to figure this out without a council vote since it’s under his contract limit. The Mayor agreed this was for transparency: “it’s not Watergate.”
The solicitor said no as an employment contract absolutely needs to be amended by the council. Valley contradicted the solicitor, saying she believed this could be done internally. Soto doubled down, arguing there should be a separate mechanism to pay the chief. Everyone agreed he needs to be paid but how to do it seems beyond them until the solicitor later solves the problem. The solicitor was clear that an appropriation will be needed.
Drew asked if there’s precedent for amending a contract like this. The solicitor confirmed there is. DiZoglio asked the solicitor to confirm what he’d just said… ”this contract is still active?” He confirmed.
There was more conversation, but it was repetitive. The solicitor spent considerable time restating his position. He offered to write new language. The motion passed to bring this back for a Zoom meeting to be scheduled.
[My take]: The McNamara thing is a mess because of timing. It was handled poorly by the Mayor as it should have been brought up when it was agreed. A former chief’s contract amendment shouldn’t be this confusing. The fact that the solicitor and a councilor are disagreeing on basic procedure tells you something is either badly drafted in the first place or poorly explained now. Get it in writing. Use the Zoom meeting to actually resolve it.
C-27-30 – CARE SOLACE, Inc., Mental Health Care Coordination Service – $66,250.00
Moved by Drew; seconded by Santos. Drew asked if there’s an earmark. The Mayor said there isn’t one anymore. Drew asked about the 32% increase from the last contract. The Mayor explained this is the full amount, not the earmarked-reduced balance from last year. Passes 8-1. (Vote breakdown not specified; assuming one no vote.)
C-27-31 – Seal Coating, Inc. (DBA Indus), Pavement Crack Sealing – $114,585.00
Moved by Santos; seconded by Drew. No discussion. Passes 8-0.
C-27-32 – TEC, Inc., Phase 2 Pelham Street/Salem Street Roadway Improvements – $255,000.00
Moved by Santos; seconded by Valley. Valley asked Garcia to clarify payment terms—lump sum or monthly invoices for percentage completion. Garcia went quiet and wasn’t sure. The Mayor also corrected the amount on the cover sheet. A motion was made and passed to amend the agenda to correct the total to $225,000. Main motion passes 8-0.
C-27-33 – TEC, Inc., Phase 2, Brook Street over Unnamed Water Body Culvert Replacement – $30,000.00
Moved by DiZoglio; seconded by Santos. Drew asked why this was needed. Garcia explained it was new work they didn’t know about until they dug it up. Passes 8-0.
Other Officers and Committee Reports
None.
Unfinished Business
TR-26-83 – FY27 Budget True Up (Removed from Table)
VIEW SOURCES & USES | VIEW SUMMARY | VIEW SUMMARY REV & EP
Removed from the table. The Mayor recapped that this reallocates new money to prevent layoffs and furloughs. The solicitor reminded everyone that they’d need to vote on each line. Drew asked questions to ensure this wasn’t one-time money and the city wasn’t setting itself up for failure in future years.
TR-26-84 – Resolution: Transfer from Health Insurance & Veteran Benefits Lines
Moved by Santos; seconded by Valley. Drew asked about admin in the Veterans Service Office. The Mayor confirmed the VSO is covering and comfortable with the workload. Passes 8-0.
TR-26-85 – Resolution: Transfer from Health Insurance to Personal Services Lines – $1,181,649
Moved by Santos; seconded by Simard. Drew asked if line-by-line votes are needed. The CAFO explained this is a transfer, not an addition that changes the bottom line. Passes 8-0.
TR-26-86 – Complete Streets Grant Acceptance Resolution – Methuen High School
Moved by Santos; seconded by DiZoglio. No discussion. Passes 8-0.
TR-26-87 – Castle Fund Resolution – First Church, Methuen
Moved by Santos; seconded by DiZoglio. Soto explained the fund approved an additional $500. The solicitor suggested an amendment. Motion made and passed 8-0. No further discussion. Main motion passes 8-0.
TO-26-20 (As Amended) – Ordinance: Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers
Moved by DiZoglio; seconded by Drew. Drew asked if there’s any actual threat of a data center coming to Methuen. The Mayor said he’s only aware of some interest on LinkedIn but no active conversations. The moratorium is for one year. The solicitor said this needs to wait until it comes back from the zoning board’s public hearing. Tabled.
New Business
None.
Any Other Business for the Good and Welfare of the Community
A motion to enter Executive Session (Exemption 7, to discuss acceptance/disclosure of executive session minutes from various dates: 5/4/2020, 11/7/2022, 1/17/2023, 4/3/2023, 5/1/2023, 6/13/2023, 7/10/2023, 10/16/2023) failed. The council did not go into executive session.
That’s a wrap on September 21, 2026. The full agenda is available at the City of Methuen website and meetings are archived at MethuenTV. Have a tip, a correction, or something you want covered? Reach out.