Beauregard Responds to Solomon's Guilty Pleas on 17 Charges

Mayor D.J. Beauregard issued a statement addressing former Police Chief Joseph Solomon's guilty pleas on all 17 corruption charges against him, framing the case as a test of accountability and public trust in the department Solomon once led.

TOWN HALL

Beauregard's statement followed Solomon's guilty pleas to the full slate of 17 charges, an outcome that closes out a corruption case that has hung over the police department's leadership. The mayor's office described the pleas as an opportunity to reaffirm accountability standards and rebuild public confidence in the department.

Separately, Beauregard has proposed a one-year moratorium on new data centers in Methuen. City officials say the pause would give the city time to develop permanent zoning protections addressing electricity demand, water use, infrastructure strain and neighborhood impacts before any new facilities are approved. The city is also touting that its municipal electric supply rate remains locked through December 2027, shielding residents from National Grid's latest Basic Service rate increase.

On the fiscal side, the Office of the Treasurer released its fiscal 2024 Notice of Tax Taking this week. Separately, early voting for the November 3 state election will run October 17 through 30 at Sanborn Hall; any registered Methuen voter may cast a ballot early, with no excuse required.

SCHOOLS

Methuen High School will host its Club and Activity Fair alongside Back to School Night on September 24 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The district is also preparing for a multi-day NEASC decennial accreditation visit at the high school in early October, part of a broader fall calendar that includes the SAT exam and college and career programming for seniors.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

"Area High School Sports Schedule | Sports | eagletribune.com": The Eagle-Tribune published its regional high school sports schedule listing this week, covering Methuen alongside Haverhill and North Andover programs, according to the paper (read it at https://www.eagletribune.com/sports/area-high-school-sports-schedule/article_e514cd45-b17e-4625-9bf2-c2d1dc49648b.html).

COMING UP

The City Council holds a GLTS workshop, a public hearing and its regular meeting on Monday, September 21, followed by the Zoning Board of Appeals on September 23 and both the Methuen Retirement Board and the Historic District Commission on September 24. On the school side, Methuen High School holds Senior Sunrise at Nicholson Stadium the morning of September 25 following an early-release day for professional development. The MRFRS Catmobile pet-adoption event stops in town September 21, and the Methuen Fishing Derby is set for September 26.

Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.