Mayor D.J. Beauregard announced last month that he has selected Deputy Chief David Toto to serve as the next chief of the Methuen Fire Department. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Methuen City Council, which is expected in the coming weeks.

Fire Chief Tim Sheehy, who has served 32 years with the department including 10 as chief, retires July 11.
A dedicated public servant with more than 25 years of experience in the Methuen Fire Department – including the past eight years as deputy chief – Toto brings a rare combination of field expertise, leadership and medical training to the department’s top role.

“David is a respected leader within the department and the broader community,” said Beauregard. “His deep commitment to public safety and mentorship, and his readiness to adapt and lead, are exactly what Methuen needs as we look to the future of fire service in our city.”

Toto began his career with the Methuen Fire Department in 2000, steadily rising through the ranks from firefighter/EMT to lieutenant and then deputy chief in 2017. For the past 14 years, he has also worked as an operating room nurse at Holy Family Hospital, where he gained valuable experience treating trauma patients, and he has provided pediatric burn care to children at Boston Shriners Hospital – a background that adds unique depth to his public safety credentials.

“I am very honored and appreciative to be given this opportunity to serve the city and lead the men and women of the Methuen Fire Department,” said Toto. “Thank you to Mayor Beauregard for placing your trust in me. I know I have some big shoes to fill in my new role as chief.”

Chief Sheehy offered his full support: “David Toto represents everything good about our city and the Methuen Fire Department. His leadership skills, temperament, experience, and ability to handle any situation will make him an effective chief. I congratulate David and wish him the very best in his new role.”

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 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).
“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 Methuen.gov 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.