Recap: City Council Meeting 2.2.2026
Written by: Dan Shibilia
The Methuen City Council met on February 2, 2026. Councilor MacLaren was absent for roll call.
Pledge, Invocation, Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was observed at the request of one Methuen resident and for seven additional names submitted without explanation but clearly these were deaths caused by ICE. This is the second meeting the Council has presented names and purposely withheld the reason for the moment of silence. A moment was also held for DPW employee and MHS graduate Jonathan Stacklin who passed today. This was followed by a prayer, which stood out as inappropriate in a municipal meeting setting.
Agenda Changes
The agenda was accepted with a procedural adjustment. Councilor Drew moved to place Organizational Business after Public Participation and to take up TR-26-9 immediately following that item. The motion passed unanimously,
Public Participation
Residents from the Tenney Street team thanked DPW, the Mayor, and city staff for recent assistance, sharing an arts and crafts project completed by neighborhood children. Several speakers spoke in support of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
Linda Soucey returned to support block grant funding, thanked the City for new winter parking ban rules that helped during the recent storm, voiced support for TO-26-5, and promoted the annual Mann Inc. golf fundraiser.
Harleen from Nevins Memorial Library, the City’s literacy coordinator, explained how CDBG-supported programs allow Nevins to offer English language classes, helping residents gain fluency and, in some cases, transition into college coursework.
Organizational Business
Council approved revised rules language from the prior meeting allowing more flexibility in deadlines during emergencies.
The Council then took up TR-26-9, the resolution authorizing acceptance and expenditure of FY25 Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant funds. As outlined in the attached materials, this federal HUD funding, passed through the state, supports housing rehabilitation, adult literacy services, Mann Inc., and administrative costs, with a total allocation request of up to $838,206. The resolution passed unanimously.
Reading and Acceptance of Minutes
Councilor Valley questioned why older meeting minutes were being revisited. It was explained this was done at the request of the City Solicitor. No other discussion followed.
Proclamations and Correspondence
The Council recognized Recreation Director Stephen Angelo for his exceptional work leading a department that has expanded services despite limited resources. They didn’t say much about why they picked him, choosing to focus more on the plant they awarded him. There is no shortage of amazing events coming from his department, it would have been nice for a real recognition from the Council and acknowledgment of those efforts. Undeniably, the recognition was well deserved. Notably, his name was incorrectly announced as “D’Angelo.” A brief recess was taken for photographs.
Appointments
No appointments were considered, which was notable given that three appointments had been tabled at the previous meeting.
Presentations and Department Updates
None were given.
Mayor’s Report
Mayor Beauregard offered condolences to the Stacklin family. The deceased was a Methuen High School Class of 2007 graduate and a DPW employee. Information on services will be forthcoming.
The Mayor referenced the sinking of the fishing vessel Lily Jean in Gloucester and a national gas explosion in Nashua, noting Methuen’s readiness to provide mutual aid if requested.
He addressed the Governor’s proposed budget, reiterating that Chapter 70 education aid is increasing by only 2.3%, with similarly modest unrestricted general government aid. He characterized the overall budget outlook as difficult and confirmed that budget planning is underway.
The Mayor discussed the Marsh School closure, explaining that a frozen gas line outside the building led to frozen pipes which then leaked in five rooms after heat was restored. The building is currently not clean, dry, and warm. The Mayor and Councilor Drew were on site until 3:00 a.m. with maintenance crews. He clarified that the planned boiler replacement listed in the Capital Improvement Plan is unrelated to this incident.
Superintendent Golobski has been invited to meet with the DESE Commissioner to discuss evolving issues in education. A public “Vision of the Graduate” workshop will be held Thursday at Nevins Memorial Library from 5:00–6:30 p.m.
The Mayor announced that an RFP for grant-writing services should be posted this week. The Quinn Building cleaning services bid closes tomorrow. Trash and recycling services are extended through February 18, and new trash carts have been ordered and are en route.
An executive order is forthcoming to create a parental leave policy for City employees, mirroring benefits already provided to teachers. The Mayor emphasized investment in the municipal workforce.
He again acknowledged Recreation Director Angelo, DPW staff for snow removal and water main repairs, and the Police Department for implementing a new mental health program.
Residents are encouraged to submit concerns, suggestions, and feedback directly to the Mayor via a new online form available at Methuen.gov.
Councilor Marsan asked about rezoning two school properties; the Mayor indicated an update would likely come at the next meeting.
CAFO Report
Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Maggie Duprey presented two handouts: an updated Capital Improvement Plan and a status report on snow and ice removal accounts. The latter shows spending already exceeding the budget by approximately $1 million—more than has been spent in the past five years combined. The CAFO explained that this account can legally be overspent as long as it is corrected before year-end. The Mayor and CAFO plan to bring forward a solution once winter concludes.
Requests of Councilors
Councilors provided updates largely covered in the Mayor’s report. Discussion turned to IT consolidation between the City and School Department. It was clarified that while previous efforts relied on Chapter 278, Chapter 71 §37M governs shared services, and consolidation would require approval votes from both bodies. Legal guidance indicates the City would likely lose if consolidation were attempted unilaterally.
Councilor Soto noted that Councilor Willette intends to place the matter on the School Committee agenda. The Mayor stated his goal is to save money and free resources to avoid teacher layoffs, but not at the expense of school IT services. He emphasized the need for joint workshops to develop a proper plan. Charter Commission discussions were also referenced, with the Mayor noting any proposal must originate from his office.
Licenses
The renewal of GameStop on Haverhill Street was approved unanimously. A new license for Beroea Transportation was also approved unanimously without discussion.
Contracts
Two contracts were approved unanimously with no discussion:
C-26-69 with Motorola Solutions for backup base radio equipment for the Fire Department in the amount of $60,199.44, funded through the FY26 CIP.
C-26-70 with Cyber Communication, Inc. for VHF antennas and cabling at the Forest Street Tank and Pie Hill Receiver Site in the amount of $37,083.88, funded through a combination of FY23 and FY26 CIP funds.
Committee Reports
The Sound and Lighting Committee and the Economic Development Committee both held their first meetings, focusing on housekeeping items and goal-setting.
Got it. Below are expanded, detail-rich rewrites of ONLY the Old Business and New Business sections, adding substance around the actual back-and-forth, tensions, questions, and implications, while staying faithful to your notes and not introducing new facts or editorial deviations. This is written to drop cleanly into the existing recap.
Unfinished Business — Resolutions
TR-26-3 — Conservation Easement, 799 Lowell Street
This resolution involved the City formally accepting a conservation easement at 799 Lowell Street pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40, §8C. No questions or discussion were raised by Councilors, and the measure was approved unanimously. The easement places permanent protections on the parcel, preventing future development and preserving the land in its current state.
TR-26-4 — Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement: Eagle Woodworking
The Council unanimously approved a five-year Tax Increment Financing agreement between the City of Methuen, Eagle Management Co. (doing business as Eagle Woodworking), and 189 North Main Street, LLC.
Under the agreement, Eagle Woodworking will consolidate operations into the long-vacant industrial property at 476 Broadway, investing approximately $7.6 million into acquisition, renovations, and equipment. The company plans to relocate 42 existing employees and create 25 additional full-time jobs over five years.
The TIF exempts a portion of taxes only on the new incremental value of the property, not the existing assessed base, which the City continues to fully tax throughout the agreement. The exemption phases down annually from 100% in year one to 20% in year five.
There was no floor discussion from Councilors. The supporting materials from the Mayor and CAFO outlined job creation benchmarks, clawback provisions if commitments are not met, and annual reporting requirements. The resolution passed unanimously without debate.
TR-26-5 — Audit of Parks and Public Spaces
Sponsored by Councilor Drew, this resolution requests a comprehensive condition, safety, and capital needs audit of all City-owned parks and public spaces.
While no Councilors raised questions during debate, the CAFO’s report notes that the City would need to issue an RFQ to determine actual costs, with rough estimates previously landing around $50,000 depending on scope. The intent is to establish a data-driven baseline for future park investments rather than piecemeal repairs. The resolution passed unanimously.
TR-26-6 — Audit of Non-School City Buildings
Also sponsored by Councilor Drew, this resolution seeks a comprehensive facilities audit of all non-school City-owned buildings. This item generated the most discussion of the night among Old Business items.
Councilor Santos introduced a proposed amendment seeking to prioritize City Hall, the Searles Estate, DPW, Police, and Fire facilities when repairs are ultimately addressed. Santos stated she had discussed the concept with Drew in advance and pressed the Mayor to begin identifying where these departments would ultimately be housed.
The Mayor responded that the resolution authorizes a consultant-led assessment, not prioritization or siting decisions. He explained that feasibility studies for public safety facilities are already underway, but this audit would be broader in scope and that prioritization would follow the assessment—not precede it.
Chair Soto confirmed the amendment language with Councilor Santos, but the amendment failed for lack of a second. Drew attempted multiple times to refocus the discussion on the resolution itself rather than future siting decisions.
The CAFO provided context, estimating the cost of a citywide facilities audit at approximately $250,000–$300,000 based on comparable studies, including Boston’s. Councilor Simard asked whether the audit would duplicate work already completed or currently underway. After clarification, the resolution was approved unanimously.
TR-26-7 — Acceptance of $2,000 Gift to Police Department
This resolution authorizes acceptance of a $2,000 gift from Digital Federal Credit Union to support the Methuen Police Department. The CAFO confirmed there are no restrictions on the funds and no matching requirement. The resolution passed unanimously without discussion.
Unfinished Business — Ordinances
TO-26-4 — Economic Development Coordinator (Unaffiliated)
Removed from the table and taken up for action, this ordinance formally creates an unaffiliated Economic Development Coordinator position within the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Councilor Valley asked how success in the role would be measured. The Mayor responded that performance would be driven by clear goal-setting and ongoing monitoring. Councilor DiZoglio questioned how the salary range was determined, to which the Mayor explained that he previously held a similar role in Arlington and used regional benchmarking and professional networks to establish a competitive range.
DiZoglio also raised concerns that funding the position could result in cuts to other departments during budget season, while acknowledging that economic development is revenue-generating by nature. Additional discussion focused on how the role would interact with existing departments and long-term budget planning. The ordinance was approved unanimously.
TO-26-5 — Sanitation / Zero Waste Coordinator (DPW)
This ordinance generated extensive discussion across multiple operational and policy areas. The position adds a unionized Sanitation/Zero Waste Coordinator within DPW to oversee trash and recycling compliance, contamination reduction, and enforcement.
Councilor Santos asked how the position would be advertised and what certifications would be required. The Mayor explained that the job would be publicly posted and that while no specific license is required, experience in sanitation, waste management, and customer service would be important.
Councilor Valley questioned whether the landfill caretaker would be transitioned into the role, noting that the employee had piloted many of the responsibilities. The Mayor responded that while internal candidates may apply, the City is legally required to post the position and no promises have been made.
Valley also raised the issue of language access, pointing out that contamination issues are often concentrated in neighborhoods where English is not the primary language. Multiple Councilors echoed the importance of Spanish fluency. Santos repeatedly emphasized that the position must be bilingual.
Councilor Drew asked how the salary range was determined. The Mayor explained it is based on the ME5 level in the DPW contract, informed by comparisons with other municipalities, and that adjustments could be made by Council vote if necessary. The CAFO confirmed the role would be partially offset by recycling dividends.
Questions were also raised about enforcement mechanisms, fines, and how unpaid tickets would be collected. The CAFO suggested adding unpaid fines to tax bills; the Solicitor clarified that state law already authorizes this and ordinance changes may not be required. Chair Soto requested that enforcement language be reviewed by Public Safety. The ordinance passed unanimously.
New Business — Resolutions
TR-26-11 — Salary Analysis for Department Heads and Non-Union Supervisors
This resolution sparked the most substantive policy debate of the evening.
Councilor DiZoglio argued that the Mayor should conduct a compensation analysis comparing Methuen to similarly sized municipalities, focusing on population and budget. Several Councilors pushed back, noting that Methuen competes regionally—not just demographically—for talent.
Councilor Pesce warned that conducting such a study mid-employment could create labor issues and complicate future contract negotiations. She suggested any findings should apply prospectively, not retroactively. Councilor Marsan asked what would happen if the study revealed underpayment; Pesce countered by asking what would happen if it revealed overpayment.
Councilor Simard reminded the Council that salary review is already part of their responsibility when contracts are approved. Valley directly challenged DiZoglio’s comparison framework, noting Methuen’s proximity to Boston-area labor markets.
The Mayor stated that he supports a broader wage and salary study overall and acknowledged prior conversations on the topic but agreed the timing and scope matter. Councilor Pesce moved to table the resolution. The motion passed, with Councilor Marsan voting no.
TR-26-12 — Edwin J. Castle Fund: St. Patrick’s Day Parade
This resolution authorizes expenditures from the Edwin J. Castle Fund to support cultural programming for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Councilors Drew and DiZoglio disclosed their involvement as organizers but stated there is no financial gain. The Solicitor confirmed recusal was not required. The resolution passed unanimously.
TR-26-13 — Rail Trail Lighting Improvements
Councilor DiZoglio introduced this resolution as a long-standing safety concern. The proposal requests a review of existing lighting conditions on the Rail Trail, including the potential use of blue lighting.
The Police Chief submitted a letter in support, and the Mayor endorsed the concept, suggesting grant funding as a possible financing mechanism. The resolution does not authorize construction, only a review and report back to Council subcommittees. It passed unanimously.
New Business — Ordinances
TO-26-6 — Winter Parking Ban Updates
This ordinance further refines winter parking ban enforcement and notification procedures. Councilor Simard asked the Solicitor whether the Emergency Preamble Action was required. The Solicitor responded that it could wait until the next meeting but left the decision to the Council. Both the main ordinance and the EPA passed unanimously.
TO-26-7 — Continued Service on Boards and Commissions
This ordinance clarifies Municipal Code §3-80, allowing individuals who have served more than ten years on boards or commissions to be reappointed with a two-thirds Council vote.
Councilor Santos asked what efforts are being made to recruit new volunteers. The Mayor cited the online application system, word-of-mouth outreach, and social media. Chair Soto suggested stipends for Planning and Zoning and improved advertising to increase participation. The ordinance passed unanimously.
The meeting ending with DiZoglio’s “goodnight Methuen”.
Until the next one….