Methuen residents can enter their furry friends in the 2026 “Top Dog” contest when licensing or relicensing their dog. Winners receive free licenses and citywide recognition. Entries close March 14.

Residents who license or relicense their dogs for 2026 are eligible to participate in the contest. The first-place winner will receive a free 2026 dog license and their dog’s photo will be proudly displayed in the City Clerk’s Office and featured on the City’s website. Second- and third-place winners will also receive a free 2026 dog license, and their dogs will be showcased on the city’s website.

To enter, participants must submit a high-quality photo of their dog at the time they apply for their license. Photos must clearly feature only one dog. Licensing can be completed in person at the City Clerk’s Office, located at 41 Pleasant St., or online at Methuen.gov/TopDog.
Winners will be selected and announced March 17. Residents who own more than one dog may enter each dog separately.
Please note that a valid rabies certificate is required for all dog license applications.

For more information about the contest or the dog licensing process, contact the Methuen City Clerk’s Office at (978) 983-8515, e-mail cityclerk@cilmethuen.ma.us or visit Methuen.gov/Clerk.

New leadership on council

On Jan. 5, city councilors voted on this year’s leadership. East District Councilor Neily Soto (the former vice chair) was elected chair and At-large Councilor Jana Zanni Pesce was voted vice chair. East Councilor Ron Marsan (former chair) was named acting mayor, should the need arise.
Mayor DJ Beauregard congratulated Soto on making history as Methuen’s first Hispanic council chair, noting it is “a major milestone in the history of our city.”
Both Soto and West Councilor Patricia Valley are the first Hispanics to serve on the Methuen City Council.

City Council on Facebook

In January, the “City Council – City of Methuen” page went live on Facebook.
“This initiative was launched by Council President Soto and the City Council of 2026–2027 to strengthen communication, transparency, and community engagement,” according to part of a Jan. 20 post. “We encourage you to follow along, stay informed, and participate in the civic process. Together, we can continue building a strong, inclusive, and thriving Methuen.”
The next meetings are March 2 and 16. Agendas, meeting minutes, the council’s full meeting calendar and much more is available at Methuen.gov.

Appointments

City Council recently approved these appointments:
*Board of Health: Traci Lavigne Milnes (alternate).
*Conservation Commission: Patrice Friant and (reappointments) David DiZazzo, Kenneth Sateriale and Cara Seaman.
*Greater Lawrence Sanitary District: Raymond DiFiore (reappointment).

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.

Receive text, e-mail alerts from city

Did you know that you can receive texts and/or e-mails for city alerts (urgent community notices, 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 Methuen.gov and search “Notify me.”

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. 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).

This program comes at no cost to the City of Methuen or its residents. In fact, Planet Aid pays 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.

Meeting, trash
schedules online

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.

Drop sharps, needles
at MPD kiosk

Methuen Health and Human Services now accepts sharps/needles from residents at the Police Department dispatch entrance kiosk, 90 Hampshire St. Free quart-size sharps containers are available at the kiosk, if needed or place items in a heavy-duty plastic container (such as a laundry detergent bottle) with a tight lid.
To dispose of acupuncture needles, knives/sharp-related weapons, surgical equipment and prescription pills, visit CVS at 76 Swan St., or Walmart at The Loop. Questions: Patrick McCarty, (978) 983-8664.

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 can prevent 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.