1st EVER FAMILY LEAVE PLAN
Last month I signed an Executive Order Establishing Methuen’s First-Ever Paid Parental Leave for City employees saying it marks a significant step forward in supporting working families and strengthening the municipal workforce.
The new policy will provide paid parental leave to eligible city employees following the birth or placement of a child, including adoption or foster care. The policy is effective January 1, 2026.
No employee should have to bank sick time just to welcome a child – whether by birth or adoption.
Methuen’s paid parental leave policy aligns with state and federal leave laws.
MERGING IT DEPARTMENTS
Last year, I pushed for a city/school IT consolidation for one simple reason: to protect classroom teaching positions and taxpayers during a very real budget crisis that nearly resulted in dozens of teacher layoffs. The thought of those layoffs – and the inevitable increase in class sizes we would’ve seen as a result – didn’t sit well with me, so I decided to act.
The recent court proceedings clarified how consolidations like this must move forward under state law. I respect that clarity – and we’ve learned from it.
Importantly, we’re already finding smart, common-sense ways to collaborate and “consolidate” in practice. Several months ago, the Timony courtyards were plagued by overgrown trees and brush that had been contributing to pest issues at the school for years.
Rather than spending taxpayer dollars on a third-party vendor, our DPW team stepped in and addressed the problem using resources we already have. School district leadership was fully on board, and the School Committee has enthusiastically supported the increased collaboration between DPW and the schools.
If I could frame a picture of what consolidation should look like, that would be it.
However, it’s important for leaders to know when to push the envelope – and when to responsibly press pause and adjust the sails. With an active leadership transition underway at the top of our school district, our focus right now has got to be on stability, collaboration, and continuing to make sure every dollar possible is directed where it belongs as we build the FY27 budget: supporting students, teachers, and core services.
SHEEHY ACTING VSO
Last week I announced a leadership transition in the City of Methuen’s Veterans Services Office, thanking longtime Veterans’ Services Officer (VSO) Paul Jensen for his dedicated service to Methuen’s veterans and welcoming Tim Sheehy as Acting VSO.
Tim Sheehy will serve as Acting VSO on a temporary basis until a permanent appointee is selected. Sheehy brings decades of public service experience to the role, having served as Chief of the Methuen Fire Department from 2015 to 2025, as well as being a Marine Corps veteran. Sheehy is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm.
Tim has spent his career serving this community and our country. His leadership, integrity, and firsthand understanding of service make him well-suited to step into this role and support Methuen’s veterans during this transition.
Methuen is home to nearly 5,000 veterans, including approximately 500 disabled veterans. Under MA General Law, every city and town with a population of 12,000 or more is required to maintain a VSO to assist veterans and their families with benefits, services, and advocacy.
The city will form a search committee to identify a permanent VSO. The committee will include representation from Methuen’s veterans community to ensure the process reflects the needs and perspectives of those served.
“Our veterans deserve strong representation and a voice in this process. This search will be inclusive, thoughtful, and centered on delivering the highest level of service to those who have sacrificed so much.”
Additional information about the search process and veterans’ services will be shared in the coming weeks. ◊