6-30-23 Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque has signed an agreement with the City of Lawrence to not return to duty and retire from the City of Lawrence after being put on leave by Mayor Brian DePena. According to sources, Vasque will be paid approximately $780,000 which includes about $300,000 in accrued sick and vacation time […]
6-23 Kane had the honor of accompanying Raymond Brunelle to Arlington National Cemetery to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Kane found the experience to be very humbling. Kane learned that Raymond Brunelle is no stranger to serving his country and local citizens of the Merrimack […]
By: Bill Cushing, 6-23 This month’s recommendation is perhaps the year’s most addictive new series. Netflix’s ‘Beef’ pulses with tension right from the start. The show opens with two strangers almost colliding in a retail store parking lot, which triggers an intense car chase between contractor Danny Cho (Oscar nominee Steven Yeun) and plant entrepreneur […]
6-23 BOSTON – Last month, Massachusetts State Senator Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester) was presented with a special award for his work to protect animals at a State House event. The award was presented by a coalition of Massachusetts animal welfare organizations that work together to advocate for the humane treatment of animals. The award acknowledges his […]
By: Brian Genest – 6-23 What was Selectman Heather Santiago-Hutchings thinking? For a year, she’s been a member of the Zoning Bylaw Review committee, which is in the process of trying to overhaul the town’s zoning bylaws for the first time since the 1980s. She’s been present, at least physically, but you have to wonder […]
6-23 Over the last four years, Methuen Mayor Neil Perry and the Methuen City Council clutched their pearls and pounded their fists calling the controversial police superior officers’ contract (passed by the previous council) a “criminal contract” that was “bloated” and paid the cops “far too much of the taxpayers money.” They attacked the police […]
Fahey received private compensation relating to his public employment, allocated payments to himself and other town employees 6-27-23 Former Andover Youth Services Director William Fahey has paid a $20,000 civil penalty for violating the conflict of interest law by receiving payments from a private nonprofit in connection with his employment with the Town of Andover, […]
WHAT IS YOUR TOWN PAYING CITY EMPLOYEES? According to govsalaries.com this is how much each city listed paid their city employees in 2021 (the most recent numbers available) compared to the national average. Items of note, the average city employee salary in Methuen is the highest in the region at $76,864. This is 64% […]
EXCLUSIVE TO THE VALLEY PATRIOT 6-23 Hello Valley Patriot Readers, Recently, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address to the Class of 2023 at my alma mater, Middlesex Community College. It was a beautiful day celebrating all of the hard work, tireless efforts and sacrifices made by the graduates, their families, and friends. […]
By: State Rep. Estela Reyes 6-26-23 I want the Valley Patriot readers to know this month, that having the opportunity to write this column has been really helpful in serving the taxpayers of Methuen and Lawrence. This column helps me relay important information to the public about what is going on in the state legislature […]
Dear Constituents, As your State Representative, I am privileged to play an active role in our community’s vibrant life. Today, I want to share with you some pivotal moments that have recently underscored our shared commitment to hope, safety, and honor – the graduation ceremonies at Methuen and Lawrence High, the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s protest […]
Access Point 8 Reopened 6/26/23 Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Commissioner Brian Arrigo and Sen. Bruce Tarr, Chair of the Merrimack River Beach Alliance, today released the below statements on the reopening of Access Point 8 at Salisbury Beach. “We are thrilled to be reopening the access point 8 at Salisbury Beach today ahead […]
BOSTON: Among the bills sponsored this session by State Auditor Diana DiZoglio is legislation to reform the Commonwealth’s payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program for state-owned land (SOL). PILOT programs help municipal governments replace some or all revenue lost from certain state property tax exemptions, including those associated with nonprofit organizations, recreational areas, and certain properties owned by […]
By: State Senator Pavel Payano – 6/23 On Thursday, May 25th, the Massachusetts Senate approved a comprehensive budget of $55.9 billion for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), signaling the Commonwealth’s commitment to fiscal discipline and the long-term economic well-being of the state. With a focus on equity and opportunity, the Senate’s budget delivers historic levels of […]
By: State Rep. Ryan Hamilton (Methuen) 6-23 As we look back on the month of May as Mental Health Awareness Month, I want to highlight one of my legislative priorities for this session – youth mental health. Our young people are facing staggering rates of poor mental health, made only worse by the isolating effects […]