Recap: January 5, 2026 Council Meeting
Written by: Dan Shibilia
CORRECTION:
Below I quoted the mayor as saying “In his report, Mayor Beauregard congratulated Councilor Soto as the first woman and first Dominican to serve as Council Chair.”
This has should have read “the first Dominican woman to serve as Council Chair.” My apologize to both the Mayor and Coucilor Soto for the error.
The January 5, 2026 City Council meeting was the first official meeting of the newly sworn-in Council, following Friday night’s inauguration. It wasn't particularly a long meeting, but nonetheless important, because it revealed early how this Council intends to operate, how individual councilors approach oversight, and where fault lines may emerge.
The night began with the election of Council leadership. Councilor Pesce nominated Councilor Soto to serve as Chair. There were no other nominations. Before the vote, Councilor McLaren made a deliberate and powerful statement explaining why she would abstain. She was clear that her abstention was not a reflection on Councilor Soto’s qualifications, competence, or ability to lead. Instead, McLaren explained that she had not been contacted prior to the nomination and used the moment to make a broader point: she will not be assumed to be a guaranteed vote, and she will not be pressured, bought, or bullied … particularly because of her age or perceived inexperience. Her abstention was about independence and respect, not opposition. A power move if I've ever seen one.
Councilor Soto responded directly, apologizing for not making time to speak with McLaren ahead of the vote. The Chair election passed 7–1–1, with Councilor Simard voting no and McLaren abstaining. Councilor Soto became Council Chair.
For Vice Chair, Councilor Valley nominated Councilor Pesce. There was no discussion. Councilor McLaren again abstained, maintaining consistency with her earlier statement. The rest of the Council voted in favor.
The Council then unanimously appointed Councilor Marsan as Acting Mayor, a procedural requirement that ensures continuity of executive authority if the Mayor is unavailable.
Much of the meeting focused on adopting the Council’s rules and procedures. Councilor Santos proposed an amendment to allow meetings to extend past 11:00 p.m. with a majority vote, but it failed because it did not reach the six votes required. Councilor Pesce successfully introduced two amendments modernizing operations during special meetings (and only special meetings) including allowing council packets to be delivered electronically and formalizing the email submission of public participation pieces to the Council Clerk by 4:00 p.m. on meeting days.
Councilor Valley proposed removing the requirement to read resolutions aloud. Councilors Drew and DiZoglio opposed the change, arguing that reading resolutions promotes transparency and serves residents who cannot access materials online, including many seniors. The City Solicitor described the documents as publicly available online, while Councilor Marsan said reading them was unnecessary. The amendment passed.
Additional amendments from Councilor Valley passed, including clarifying committee sizes to avoid unintended quorums, removing references to a fiscal analyst position that no longer exists, and formally adding the Assistant Council Clerk to procedural sections. Councilor Soto proposed an amendment to Rule 11(c) requiring speakers to specify whether they are addressing the “whole” Council. Councilors Simard, Drew, and DiZoglio voted no, raising concerns about how this would apply to staff or non-residents, but the amendment passed 6–3. Despite disagreements on individual amendments, the full rules package passed unanimously on first read and will return for a second vote at the next meeting.
Chair Soto then delivered opening remarks that blended what was supposed to be encouragement blended with instruction. She emphasized that councilors should feel confident in their seats, outlined expectations for how agenda items should be prepared, and stressed that the Mayor, CAFO, Solicitor, both Council Clerks, and the Vice Chair should be included on communications. She also stated that councilors may contact department heads directly but must copy the Mayor and Chief of Staff. Soto reinforced that public participation remains open but disruptive behavior and personal attacks will not be tolerated, and that a decorum statement will now be read at every meeting.
Public participation included remarks from Linda Soucey, who spoke in favor of the revised winter parking ban and supported stronger decorum standards. Mike Welsh, a resident and paid consultant who previously worked with the City on unaccepted roads and served on the related subcommittee last term, spoke at length about the decades-long inconsistencies between City and state road records. He described the issue as deeply fragmented and offered to meet with councilors to help reconcile the data.
One of the most substantive agenda items was the presentation by Superintendent John Lavoie of Greater Lawrence Technical School regarding the proposed sale of GLTS’s existing hangar at Lawrence Airport and the purchase of a newer, adjacent hangar. Lavoie explained that the transaction would be funded entirely through district reserves and proceeds from the sale of the old hangar, with no financial impact to Methuen. Councilor Drew demonstrated clear familiarity with the documents and raised concerns about vague language, long-term lease costs, and operational expenses associated with a larger facility, including heating, maintenance, and snow removal. Councilor Valley questioned the broker and buyer status. Chair Soto referenced a conversation she had with airport management, which led to an awkward exchange with the superintendent over lease terms and fees she jokes about the city charging GLTS. Because GLTS still needs approval from its own School Committee and the transaction requires charter amendments, the item was tabled.
In his report, Mayor Beauregard congratulated Councilor Soto as the first woman and first Dominican to serve as Council Chair. He announced a January 21 public meeting to continue discussion of the school’s culture audit findings with CBIZ. He also reported that the school financial audit RFP is being reissued after only one response last year, highlighted continued progress removing aging carpet from schools, and credited custodial staff for visible improvements. He committed to providing more frequent school updates in future reports.
Under councilor requests, Chair Soto asked for an update on trash and recycling RFPs, which the Mayor said are currently under review by purchasing and legal. Councilor Valley requested an update on the unaccepted roads map, which DPW said is nearly complete and will be published online soon. The Mayor also previewed the creation of a new economic development role, a sanitation coordinator position, rezoning plans for Pleasant Valley School and the Currier Building, and the return of Restaurant Week.
The Council then reviewed several contracts. A contract for new softball dugouts at Francis Morse Park passed unanimously, though Councilor Drew flagged inconsistencies in the documents. A flooring contract for Timony School generated extensive debate. Councilors Drew, DiZoglio, Santos, and Pesce raised concerns about material quality, vague specifications, timing, and long-term durability. After discussion with Mr. Gosselin and the CAFO, the Council voted 5–4 to table the item so clearer information could be provided. As Ian explained, It's unclear as to whether this delay will have broader impacts on the project.
Two DPW trucks were approved using previously budgeted capital funds, with confirmation they are not take-home vehicles. Replacement generators for the police and fire buildings were also approved unanimously after the Fire Chief explained their necessity for emergency operations, communications, and accreditation.
Following an earlier public hearing, the Council unanimously approved changes to the winter parking ban, adopting the version supported by Chief McNamara and residents who spoke earlier in the evening. To summarize what they accepted, it increases parking fines for cars that violate the parking ban. It is meant as a deterrent and not a cash flow initiative.
Two resolutions followed. One relating to a vocational school charter amendment tied to the hangar purchase was delayed until the next meeting. Another authorized a $1,584 transfer from the Edwin J. Castle Fund to purchase microphones for the Senior Center and passed unanimously.
The final ordinances of the night included a zoning change at 262 Howe Street, which was tabled for further review By the community development board and the zoning board.
The biggest item of the night, in my opinion anyways, was the proposed new wage and salary classification for the Assistant Council Clerk. That ordinance prompted significant discussion. Councilors questioned whether the change was tailored to a specific individual rather than the position itself, raised concerns about budget impacts and salary parity, and debated whether Council approval was even required. After extended discussion, the ordinance was tabled 6–3 to allow further research. During this discussion, Councilor Soto mentioned that they were available funds in the IT budget for salaries And that the overage could come from there. I did have a conversation with the mayor and he confirmed that he would need to approve this. The council does not have unilateral power to do so. It's currently unclear. Wah the assistant Council clerk position went all the way to the governor for sign off as the position has existed for decades although sometimes vacant. More information is being sought on this and will follow up later.
The Mayor’s final ordinance, which would have raised the contract approval threshold from $25,000 back to $50,000, failed decisively. Councilors cited the City’s history and the importance of oversight, while the Mayor argued the change would improve efficiency. Councillor Simard reminded the body that during his first term under Mayor Jajuga, the mayor snuck a contract through for $49,9999 purposely to avoid the council. This was the catalyst for dropping the $50,000 threshold to $25,000. The council was not having it.
By the end of the night, several things were clear. Councilor Drew came prepared. Councilor McLaren established early that she intends to act independently and will not be presumed to be a rubber-stamp vote. Chair Soto signaled a desire for structure and discipline but also spent considerable time educating from the chair, raising questions about how that balance will evolve.
For residents, the takeaway is straightforward: this Council is appears to be prepared to slow decisions down, demand clarity, and table items when answers aren’t sufficient … even on its very first night.
Agenda link
I noticed that Counselor McLaren did not have her meeting packet, which raises concerns about preparedness and proper participation. The packet has always been required to effectively engage in discussion and voting.
I happen to notice that Counselor McLaren did not have her meeting packet, which raises concerns about preparedness and proper participation. The packet has always been required to effectively engage in discussion and voting.