9/21/24
After more than three years of serious illness Methuen Mayor Neil Perry passed away late this afternoon.
Perry was in his third, two-year term as mayor and because of term limits was unable to run for another term next year. Over the past three years Perry had been working from home as he was treated for serious ailments and received dialysis at least three days a week.
Perry was sharp until the end, and attended last week’s city council meeting, sparring with councilors and completely coherent.
Perry is the first mayor of Methuen to die in office. The acting mayor will be Councilor Dave Beauregard until a special election takes place.
Councilors told the Valley Patriot that the special election must take place within 60 days.