Methuen public meetings in 2023
5 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
City Council
The City Council approved an ordinance to establish a Second Assistant City Solicitor position to address staffing shortages in the legal department. The role is intended for a newer attorney to diversify the department's skill set.
- Approved ordinance to create Second Assistant City Solicitor position with a salary range of $75,000 to $91,163
Commission on Disability
The Commission on Disability approved outreach to Superintendent Brandi Kwong to discuss high school parking and door weight. The commission also voted to postpone planning for a basketball tournament. DPW provided updates on sidewalk renovations and cemetery restroom concerns.
- Approved motion to contact Superintendent Brandi Kwong regarding high school loop parking and media center/library door weight (Unanimous)
- Approved motion to postpone basketball tournament planning (Unanimous)
- Approved June 2023 meeting minutes with spelling correction (Unanimous)
Conservation Commission
The Commission continued a public hearing regarding a single-family dwelling project at 799 Lowell Street. The hearing remains open pending further information on blasting and the resolution of state and federal wildlife reviews.
- Continued hearing for 799 Lowell Street (Lot 2B) to 9/21/23 (Unanimous)
Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors approved the monthly List of Abatements and processed senior and veteran exemption applications. Members discussed high density housing, deed restricted housing, and senior exemption thresholds. The board entered executive session to consider statutory exemption applications.
- Approved minutes from July 17, 2023 (Unanimous)
- Reviewed and signed monthly List of Abatements
- Approved senior and veteran exemption applications meeting criteria and denied those that did not (Unanimous)
Zoning Board
The Board approved a special permit for a restaurant and bar at 319 Merrimack Street and a setback variance for a porch at 119 Butternut Lane. A variance request for a home addition at 74 Thornton Ave was discussed, but no final vote is recorded in the provided text.
- Approved special permit for restaurant and bar at 319 Merrimack Street Suite 1 (Unanimous)
- Approved amended hours for 319 Merrimack Street: Mon-Thu 10a-9p, Fri-Sat 11a-11p, Sun Closed (Unanimous)
- Approved setback variance for 34' x 8' farmers porch at 119 Butternut Lane (Unanimous)
- Accepted minutes from June 28, 2023 (Unanimous)