Methuen City Hall to Close Fridays Starting July 10 Under Budget Furlough
DATELINE — METHUEN
City Hall and most administrative offices in Methuen will close every Friday from July 10 through Labor Day under a temporary furlough program adopted as part of the FY2027 budget, officials announced Sunday — a practical change that hits residents as early as this week and arrives alongside two other significant city announcements: a landmark health insurance deal and a new behavioral health partnership.
TOWN HALL
Beginning Friday, July 10, residents will have one fewer day each week to conduct in-person business with city departments. The Friday closures run through Labor Day and are part of a cost-reduction measure embedded in the FY2027 budget. City officials did not specify which departments are excepted, though the announcement says "most" administrative offices will be affected. The change gives residents and businesses just days to adjust.
On the labor front, Mayor D.J. Beauregard and Public Employee Committee President Kara Blatt jointly announced that city workers, retirees, and their dependents will move to the Group Insurance Commission under a newly ratified health insurance agreement the two sides described as comprehensive. The GIC is a state-run purchasing pool that covers hundreds of thousands of Massachusetts public employees; transitioning to it is typically a significant shift in a municipality's benefits structure and costs.
Mayor Beauregard also announced a planned partnership with Beth Israel Lahey Health Behavioral Services intended to preserve and upgrade crisis response and behavioral health services in Methuen. The announcement did not detail a timeline or the scope of services involved, but it signals the city is working to shore up mental health infrastructure.
Free summer meals continue to be available at four Methuen sites through the Summer Eats program for all children and teens ages 18 and under. No registration, identification, or proof of income is required; meal sites and schedules are posted on the city's website.
The Election Department is seeking poll workers for the September 1 primary and November 3 general elections. Residents interested in serving can call 978-983-8515.
COMING UP
The Licensing Board meets Wednesday, July 8, at City Hall. Residents should note the Community Development Board meeting also listed for July 8 has been cancelled, per a city alert posted on the homepage.
The Methuen Independence Day Fireworks Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, July 11. Methuen typically holds its fireworks after the national holiday, and this year the event falls the following weekend.
The Cultural Council holds its regular meeting Monday, July 13, followed by the Conservation Commission on Thursday, July 16. The Zoning Board of Appeals meets Wednesday, July 22, and both the Methuen Retirement Board and the Historic District Commission convene Thursday, July 23.
With the Friday office-closure schedule taking effect July 10, residents who need permits, licenses, or other city services should plan to complete in-person transactions Monday through Thursday through Labor Day.