City Council

METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Chair Marsan called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members present: Clr. Faretra, Clr. Saffie, Clr. Soto, Clr. Surillo, Clr. Valley, Clr. Campagnone, Clr. DiZoglio, and Chair Marsan. Clr. Pesce was absent. Acceptance of the Agenda MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio, seconded by Councilor Valley to accept the agenda. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) Pledge of Allegiance/Words of Wisdom/Moment of Silence Everyone stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilor DiZoglio read a quote from Walt Disney. Public Participation Mr. & Mrs. Longo, 21 Crestshire Lane, submitted a request to Council for repair and repaving of the Cul-De-Sac on Crestshire Lane to the City Council which included the reasons for repair and a picture of roadway in disrepair (Request attached). Chair Marsan indicated someone would get in touch with Mr. & Mrs. Longo. Mr. Zenzo Mafogo, 2 Coachman Lane, stated the light pollution problem he and his family are experiencing from the flood lights shining onto his property from his neighbor and the negative impact to their quality of life. He stated the lights are facing out horizontally not facing down vertically, have no shield creating extreme glare, the lights far exceeds the 2,000 lumens threshold (A few professional electricians who visited my house confirmed this), and the lights are shining on a big amount of his property. (I HAVE THE RIGHT TO NOT HAVE ANYONE SHINE LIGHTS ON THE PROPERTY THAT I OWN). He explained how he tried to reach out for help to the Methuen city inspection department, and he is sad to say that their treatment has been disappointing. The inspector has yelled at him several times and even hanged up on me. He has always been kind and cordial, but they have treated him very unprofessionally. He is a father looking for help for his family and believe that our rights to enjoy our property in peace have been impeded upon. These ordinances were written for a reason. He was told to approach his neighbor, which he did. Section 7.4 says lights should not be shining on his property. He amicably approached the husband who was nice, but the wife said, “go to the city”. The lights are still facing out. He wanted to be anonymous because it is uncomfortable, He is not trying to start a problem. He is a pastor and enjoys talking to people. He asked for the city’s help resolving this issue Mr. Longo thanked Councilor Soto, Councilor Valley, and Councilor Saffie for their help. Chair Marsan said someone would get back to him. Mayor Beauregard offered his cellphone number for him to call so he could look. 1 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Organizational Business: None Reading and Acceptance of Minutes from Previous Meetings: April 7, 2025 regular (remove from the table) MOTION BY: Councilor Surillo, seconded by Councilor Campagnone to remove from the table. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent. MOTION BY: Councilor Soto, seconded by Councilor Surillo to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent. April 22, 2025 regular meeting MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Surillo to approve. Councilor DiZoglio asked if these minutes were distributed in the packet and on the website. The Council Clerk responded that the Assistant Clerk email the minutes to City Council. Minutes are posted on the website upon approval. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 1 present (Clr. Soto), and 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) PROCLAMATION/CORRESPONDENCE Citation – Eulalia Sierra of Lally’s House of Beauty – Councilor Surillo and Mayor Beauregard both read and presented a Citation to Eulia Sierra of Lally’s House of Beauty. Chair Marsan declared a brief recess, then called the meeting back to order. Consideration of Appointments - None PRESENTATION/PROJECTS/DEPARTMENT HEAD - None Mayor’s Report MHS – Mayor Beauregard reported that the newly finished pickle ball court opening is this Saturday, May 10th. He has been told they are the best pickleball courts in the area. If individuals want to schedule a time to play, they may do so @Methuen.gov but it is not necessary to do so. the city is trying to mitigate the noise issues from that area. Anyone with questions may contact Steve Angelo at 978-983-8590 or email him at SAngelo@ci.methuen.ma.us. The work on the Searles wall has begun. The vendor is going to install the green fence on the lower parking lot wall. Mayor Beauregard reported budget meetings are underway. The School Committee is dealing with school related issues. They are working on creative ways working closely and in touch with the Governor’s office, Representative Payano, and Representative Hamilton. Department head meetings are taking place this week for the second time. The Senate will prove more information. 2 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING The Economic Development and Community Development are working on a bio ready designation for our city. The purpose is to help development and real estate commitment for Methuen to become the 91st community and become competitive. The Mayor spoke of Mental Health Awareness, Care Solace for Mental Health 24/7 support. There are extensive services for housing, food, and medical support. Services need approval via a resolution secured by Representative Hamilton who will share more information the website and social media. Methuen will be celebrating “Older American Month” this Thursday, May 8th at the Senior Center at 11:00 a.m. Methuen Restaurant week, Savor Methuen, is happening next week. all the deals are listed on Methuen’s Facebook page and will be on the website as well. The Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 26th. The “Fishing Derby” will take place on Saturday, May 31st at Forest Lake. St. Monica’s Parish is offering mass in Spanish beginning Sunday, June 5th at 5:00 p.m. and Fridays at 6:00 p.m. Flag Replacement will take place at Elmwood Cemetery and different cemeteries on Saturday May 17th, 2025. Our Veterans Director Paul Jensen is in charge. Individuals may sign in to Methuen.gov.flag replacement. Chair Marsan said we have six pickle ball courts. Reservations can be done online for three courts and three are courtesy. CAFO Report CAFO Duprey explained she does not have any reports but will provide them for the next Council meeting. • CIP Report Update will share at next meeting • ARPA Report Update will share at next meeting The CAFO reported that the Bond Review meeting went well. She should have something in the next couple of weeks. Received today Councilor Soto said she did not have the opportunity to review the CAFO’s impact statement and asked if there is anyone else that is able to do the report when the CAFO is on vacation. CAFO Duprey indicated there is no one who would be able to do this. She tries to notify the Council when it will be late, but she does not have anyone that would be reviewing it in her absence. 3 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING Request of Councilors • Update on School Audit (Request of Chair Faretra) The Mayor reported the School Audit is collecting surveying responses. The city received only one bid and will be reviewing it this week. • Update Status o on the website and social mf McClure Agreement – nothing new • Update or plan to address the ongoing traffic issues on Pelham Street towards Marsh Grammar School. (Clr. Valley) Mayor Beauregard said this report will be ready either May 9th or May 14th. they have been very responsive. • Update on the fiscal transparency page that was due to be posted on the website to give real time updates to all city accounts (Clr. Faretra) • List of COLA increases from 2008 to 2024 --- percentage increases only. (Clr. Faretra) The Mayor said the payroll for Methuen Public Schools is online and was forwarded to Clr. Faretra today. He noted Colleen McCarthy received unfair comments at last meeting. She does a great job. He apologized to Colleen for the unfair comments made by others. The Mayor referenced an article in the newspaper about a brewing conflict between Council and School Committee. It is not healthy or productive. It looks terrible. We need to focus on solutions. The Mayor will share the specific proposal at the next meeting. • Update on pedestrian crosswalk at Bonano’s Farm Stand, 255 Merrimack Street (Clr. Soto) • Update on Park Street and Lawrence Street traffic study (Req. Clr. Faretra) Mayor Beauregard explained he received a call from Congresswoman Lori Trahan. This year they wanted to include Methuen projects. Two of the most dangerous intersections are Park and Lawrence and East/Prospect/Milk Street. Congresswoman Trahan is making a pitch for both intersections for potential fixes. • Equity Theft Law Update and Department Protocol (Req. of Clr. Soto) Mayor Beauregard explained he spoke with the current Treasurer/Tax Collector. She indicated the city has never had to go through foreclosure. The Solicitor suggested an ordinance, i.e., a ten-year payment plan. He would be happy to explore that to give struggling homeowners more tools to stay in their homes. • Request for List of Vehicles owned by the City (Req. of Clr. Faretra) This information was provided to Councilor Faretra earlier today. • Update from Eversource (Req. of Clr. Faretra) The Mayor read a list of streets that Eversource will be working on in 2025. We are exploring a cost savings effort with Eversource. The city is looking toward curb to curb restoration instead of ten-foot patches. This would save Methuen taxpayers $277,000. The solicitor is reviewing some agreements. • Our DPW on 2025 paving projects (Req. of Clr. Faretra) Mayor Beauregard read a list of streets this would affect. DPW will notifying residents. He asked DPW to explore other paving techniques to cover more ground. Fifty-nine roads are on the 2025 city’s paving list. Monday, May 12th is a tentative starting date. • School Budget Updates (Req. of Clr. DiZoglio) 4 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING • School Redistricting Plan RFP (Req. of Clr. DiZoglio) The Mayor stated that to facilitate the school redistricting the School Committee will have to establish a “Redistricting Committee” • 2 Coachman Lane lighting complaint (Req. of Clr. Soto) The resident reached out to Clr. Saffie, Clr. Valley, and Clr. Soto. Mayor Beauregard said he is looking forward to working with the resident on this. The city needs to deal with it. Councilor Surillo said he will sit on the Mayor’s committee regarding the new law for communities. He deals with this issue on a day to day basis. Some residents are getting fined by the state. Councilor Surillo said customer service should be a key to every department in the city. He noted the gentleman at public participation said he did not know what the reaction of his neighbor would be. It should never be an issue in potential conflict with two neighbors. Inspection or building should be speaking with neighbors about anything that could be a potential conflict. Mayor Beauregard said in his four and half months sitting as Mayor, focus is too much on process and not enough on people. We need to focus more on people rather than the process. Must have a customer first mindset. This something he is speaking on as Mayor to make it right. Councilor DiZoglio said he does not agree with tension between School Committee and City Council. The School Committee must decide on redistricting. If they need funding it comes to Council. As Chair the Mayor could request and RFP and should have a conversation with the School Committee. School committee needs funding that comes to Council. Councilor DiZoglio said he does not appreciate School Committee members posting things on social media. Council is not going to be blamed for something Council does not have a say in. He would support paying for it (as one Councilor) and would want to give funding. School Committee has been sending emails to parents to go to the Council. Councilors have not posted anything about School Committee. One Councilor at least will support funding. He does not want to have to figure it out for them. let us work and collaborate. He will use his platform in the Council chamber. Mayor Beauregard said he is trying to reach a point in finding a solution. We need to have a committee first. Councilor DiZoglio said the Mayor needs to have a conversation with the School Committee regarding redistricting. Nothing came from him or Council regarding Colleen McCarthy. When he hears transparency, he thinks of the whole city. It is not her fault if she was not notified until the day before. That is us not asking the question up front. That the school should be involved. Councilor DiZoglio said he would like a Munis update at every meeting even if it must be in Executive Session. 5 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING He would also like to see a Charter Update. He wants to make sure the Charter is brought in front of this Council and sent to the delegation for approval before the next session. Councilor Faretra indicated the Chair can remove five of his requests because they have been satisfied. Update on the transparency page, the list of COLA increases he received. The vehicles list has been received. Eversource and DPW paving requests the Mayor just announced those. He would like to see those on the website. Update on the School Audit will stay on agenda. Fiscal transparency and COLA increases may be removed from agenda as well as List of Vehicles owned by the city and update from Eversource. If the paving does not get on the website, he will email the Mayor. Mayor Beauregard said the paving information will be online this week. Councilor Faretra said School update should stay on until that is complete and then the Park Street and Lawrence Street should stay on for updates from the delegation and Mayor. Councilor Soto referenced the equity theft law and the comment the Mayor made that we have never had to do this before. Does that mean when a person falls in arrears with their taxes, if a person has a mortgage the bank will pay taxes. If someone has no mortgage, what do they do? You send it off to a collection agency. Councilor DiZoglio and Councilor Pesce had brought something forward that she might not have understood when they brought it forward for constituents who owed taxes for years and years and years. She asked for clarification Councilor DiZoglio explained a resolution was put forth pertaining to people who had contracts with city, not residential homeowners in arrears. It had to do with contractors. The Mayor said he will follow up with the Treasurer/Tax Collector. In the past when someone has fallen into arrears, they will start the process earlier. They work with legal counsel and outreach to the resident who has the tax issue to try to find a solution. We have never had to follow through with foreclosure process to completion. He will follow up to get a better answer, exclusive to residential homeowners. We try to work with people as best we can. The CAFO explained tax title is the first step, then they start the process and including interest and penalties. We try to work with them and collect on that, working with outside counsel before moving to foreclosure. Councilor Soto expressed ongoing concern for poor customer service and disrespect, and dismissive attitudes not only to individuals but also those who are trying to open 6 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING a business. the city needs to closely look at this. The culture and the ability reflect the leadership we have. It was not just Mr. Motolo, we had Mr. Longo earlier, and a gentleman a few months ago who spoke about someone in the Mayor’s office who was very disrespectful to him. Someone spoke tonight about how he was disrespected. She suggested onsite training for people. There should be consistent responses. Mayor Beauregard said sometimes there are people who have negative experiences. But most people who work for the city are respectful. We can always do better, but most people do a good job. Councilor Surillo said we should know how many are in tax title. He suggested an escrow account for the equity, something that we should have as a procedure. Councilor DiZoglio requested a Munis update for the next meeting and a Charter Review Update. He wants to make sure the Charter proposal comes before this Council. Chair Marsan asked Councilor DiZoglio to send an email to the Council office. PUBLIC SERVICE: A) Grants: None B) Licenses: None C) Contracts: C-25-82 –Pest-End, Inc, 91 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, NH 03826 for Wildlife Sanitation/Cleanout at 5 Schools in the Amount of $80,000 MOTION BY: Councilor Surillo, seconded by Councilor Campagnone to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) C-25-83 – Liston Utility Services, 19 Mauriello Drive, Stoneham, MA 02180 for Leak Detection-Correlation Survey in the Amount of $41,600.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Surillo to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce), 1 present (Clr. Soto) C-25-84 – Dagle Electrical Construction Corp., 68 Industrial Way, Wilmington, MA 01887 for Lower Broadway Pedestrian Safety & Transit Improvements Project in the Amount of $403,458.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Surillo to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 1 out of the room (Clr. Saffie did not participate) 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) 7 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING C-25-85 Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., 40 Water Street, Boston, MA 01844, for Lower Broadway Pedestrian Safety & Transit Improvements Project (Construction Engineering Scope of Services) in the Amount of $119,496.78 MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Valley to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 7 yes, 1 out of the room (Clr. Saffie did not participate) 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) C-25-86 Advizex, 6480 Rockside Woods Blvd., Suite 190 Independence, OH 44131 for Cyber Security System in the Amount of $49,481.00 MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Surillo to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) C-25-87 Island Tech Services, 14 Industrial Way, Atkinson, NH 03811 for Outfitting of (4) Police Vehicles (1 Tahoe, 1 Chevy Silverado, 2 Ford Interceptor Policy Utility) in the Amount of $56,214.12 MOTION BY: Councilor Surillo, seconded by Councilor Campagnone to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) OTHER OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions: TR-25-19 A Resolution Supporting the Letter to the Delegation Regarding Financial and Administrative Practices at the Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS) (Req. of Clr. Faretra) MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Saffie, to approve. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 4 yes, 4 no (Clr. Soto, Clr. Surillo, Clr. Valley, and Chair Marsan, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) Ordinances: TO-25-5 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 13, Section 13-50, of the Municipal Code of the City of Methuen to Update Door-to-Door Solicitation Requirements (Sponsored by Councilors Patricia Valley, Nellie Soto, and Allison Mary Saffie) (remove from the table) MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Saffie to remove from the table. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) MOTION BY: Councilor Campagnone, seconded by Councilor Saffie to approve. Solicitor O’Neill questioned the version Council was voting on. He indicated the version implementing Councilors suggestions was in process and should be ready for the next Council meeting 8 METHUEN CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, May 5, 2025 @ 7:00 P.M. GREAT HALL, SEARLES BUILDING MOTION BY: Councilor Surillo, seconded by Councilor DiZoglio to table. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) NEW BUSINESS Resolutions: None Ordinances: None ANY OTHER BUSINESS FOR THE GOOD AND WELFARE OF THE COMMUNITY Adjourn MOTION BY: Councilor DiZoglio seconded by Councilor Campagnone to adjourn. UPON ROLL CALL VOTE: 8 yes, 1 absent (Clr. Pesce) 9