Former City Councilor Jimmy McCarty is now serving as chief of staff for Mayor DJ Beauregard. May 19 was his first day on the job.
“Jimmy McCarty is exactly the kind of reform partner I need in the Mayor’s Office,” said Mayor DJ Beauregard, in a press release. “His leadership on the City Council, his organizing experience with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and his courage in challenging the toxic regime of the former police chief all speak to his character and commitment to Methuen. Together, we will continue building on the foundation that Mayor Perry laid and drive this city forward with integrity and vision.”
McCarty replaces Tina Conway, who retired following a recent controversial political social media post on her personal page which some saw as lashing out against first responders. Conway, who had worked as Mayor Neil Perry’s chief of staff for 3 years prior to his death, previously served as Methuen city clerk for 17 years.
McCarty served as a Central District councilor from 2018 to 2023, and left due to term limits. He ran unsuccessfully for state rep in 2022. He graduated from the Mass School of Law in Andover in 2023, according to his Facebook page.
McCarty’s brother, Patrick, works for the city as Human Services Division director.

Hiring, overtime
freeze in effect

Confronting rising costs and continued uncertainty in state and federal funding, Mayor D.J. Beauregard last month signed an Executive Order implementing a freeze on municipal hiring and overtime spending in an effort to curb costs and stabilize city finances.
The order, which took effect at the close of business May 30, 2025, will remain in place through Dec. 31, 2025, unless extended.
“The City must act decisively to bring spending under control,” said Beauregard. “Every dollar we spend must be justified, and we cannot afford to operate on autopilot while costs climb and revenues remain uncertain. This order is about protecting taxpayers and preserving the City’s financial health.”
The citywide hiring freeze included all non-exempt positions, including new hires, promotions and rehires, across departments funded in whole or in part by municipal dollars. There’s also a strict overtime freeze for all non-public safety employees.
Exemptions include public safety personnel (Police, Fire, Dispatch), direct-care providers, seasonal employees, court-mandated hires, senior Work-Off Abatement Program participants, revenue-generating positions, and department heads and assistant department heads (subject to City Council confirmation).
The Mayor’s Office, in coordination with the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer and Human Resources director, will enforce compliance and track all exceptions on a monthly basis.

City’s bond
rating improves

Methuen received a credit rating upgrade last month from S&P Global Ratings, marking a major milestone in the city’s financial turnaround. S&P raised its underlying rating on Methuen’s general obligation (GO) debt from ‘AA-’ to ‘AA,’ while also assigning an ‘AA+’ long-term enhanced rating to the city’s new $6.7 million bond issuance. The outlook is stable.
The upgrade reflects Methuen’s stabilized financial performance, improved financial management practices and growing reserve levels – all of which contributed to the city’s emergence from Commonwealth oversight in 2023.
“This is a big win for Methuen,” said Mayor D.J. Beauregard in a press release. “It’s a clear sign that our financial strategy is paying off. We’ve turned a corner, and we’re being recognized nationally for strong, responsible fiscal stewardship.”
The rating agency specifically noted Methuen’s surplus operating results, long-term financial forecasting and strengthened reserves, which have grown to $34.7 million, or nearly 16% of revenues. The report praised the city’s continued adherence to conservative budgeting and multi-year financial planning – practices instituted during a period of state oversight that Methuen has now carried forward.

Transparency
Dashboard is online

Want to know how the city spends its tax dollars, brings in revenue and pays its employees?
The City of Methuen’s Financial Transparency Dashboard is now online. This innovative tool underscores the city’s commitment to financial openness and accountability, providing residents with an interactive and user-friendly platform to explore municipal finances.
“For the first time ever, Methuen taxpayers have the ability to track the city’s revenues and expenditures in real time and monitor how their tax dollars are being spent,” said Mayor DJ Beauregard. “This dashboard empowers our residents with easy access to crucial financial information. The City of Methuen is dedicated to maintaining transparency and increasing government efficiency.”
The Financial Transparency Dashboard (Methuen.gov/transparency) offers a dynamic interface where users can explore data on expenditures, revenue sources and vendor payments.
Key features include:
• Comprehensive Financial Insights. View detailed breakdowns of municipal spending and revenue allocation.
• Historical Data for Comparison. Access financial data from previous fiscal years to track trends and progress.
To access public payroll data, click “Explore the Operating Budget, then click “General Fund,” then click through each department.
Track vendor payments by clicking the Checkbook tab.
The portal will be updated at the close of each business week.

Do Not Knock
Registry is active

The Methuen Police Department invites residents to keep unwanted solicitors at bay via the city’s Do Not Knock Registry. Signing up online or in person prevents door-to-door sales visits for a year. It’s a way to stay in control of your privacy and enjoy a solicitation-free home.
Once your address is added to the registry, solicitors must avoid that home. “Any canvasser, peddler, itinerant vender or owner or employee of a door-to-door sales enterprise” who violates the registry faces a $300 fine per offense and one-year revocation of solicitor license.
Visit Methuen.gov/DoNotKnock or stop by the Methuen Police Department to fill out a form.

Curbside clothes,
toy recycling underway

Methuen has expanded its commitment to sustainability by launching a curbside textile recycling program in partnership with the non-profit Planet Aid Inc. Residents can schedule home pickups for used clothing, footwear and other fabric items.
Mayor D.J. Beauregard announced that the program provides a convenient way for residents to recycle textiles while reducing waste. Residents can schedule a free pickup by visiting www.planetaid.org/lp-home-donation-pickup or the city website (methuen.gov) or by calling (508) 893-0644. Pickups will take place on the first and third Saturdays of each month, and residents must schedule at least two days in advance. Items should be placed curbside in plastic bags by 8am on the scheduled pickup day.
Acceptable Items for collection:
Clothing: Men’s, women’s and children’s apparel.
Outerwear: Coats and jackets.
Accessories: Shoes, sneakers, purses, hats, belts and ties.
Additional items: Backpacks, sleeping bags, bedding, towels, small toys, stuffed animals and DVDs (but no other electronics or appliances).
At the March 3 City Council meeting, Beauregard announced that the debut pickup netted over 300 pounds of items.
“This curbside textile recycling program is another important step in our mission to lower costs for taxpayers by reducing Methuen’s waste,” Beauregard previously stated. “By diverting more materials from landfills and into recycling and reuse programs, we’re making both an economic and environmental impact while providing our residents with a convenient new service.”
This program comes at no cost to the City of Methuen or its residents. In fact, it will generate revenue for Methuen. Under the agreement signed by Mayor Beauregard, Planet Aid will pay the city 9 cents per pound of collected textiles – turning waste reduction into a financial benefit for the community.
For more details, visit the Trash and Recycling page at www.methuen.gov.

’25 meeting, trash
schedules online

The 2025 City Council and School Committee meeting schedules, as well as the trash and recycling calendar, are all available at cityofmethuen.net. Many city meetings are live-streamed and can also be found On Demand at methuentv.org; meeting minutes are posted on the city website. Find additional info on City Council at Methuen.gov/council and info on School Committee at Methuen.k12.ma.us/school-community.

Receive text, e-mail
alerts from city
Did you know that you can receive texts and/or e-mails for city alerts (weather emergencies, office closures, etc.), notifications about city boards and committees, the winter parking ban, community events, City of Methuen employment opportunities, Rec Department events and more? Visit cityofmethuen.net and search for “Sign up for Alerts.”

Help with housing,
food and fuel aid, etc.

The Methuen Community Resource Center is open for walk-in visits for all Methuen residents who need assistance with things like SNAP, MassHealth, SSI, state fuel assistance, food insecurity, free Covid test kits, connecting individuals with housing, hoarding services, substance use treatment, free Narcan access, mental-health support and more. Open Monday to Thursday, 8am-4pm; Fridays, 8am-12:30pm; and Wednesdays until 7:30pm at 1 Broadway. Call (978) 983-8664 for info.