Build Something Better

The City of Methuen is a $221 million enterprise funded entirely by us, the taxpayers. Every dollar that comes in belongs to us and we deserve to know exactly how it’s spent.

For too long, our taxes have gone up while we’ve seen little real improvement in return. Potholes remain unfilled, city buildings go neglected, and essential services are stretched thin... and thats just the tip of the iceberg. That’s not good stewardship of your money.

I believe city government needs to treat your tax dollars with the same care and scrutiny as any responsible household or business. That means open, honest, and detailed reporting of how every dollar is budgeted and spent. No hidden line items. No back-room deals. No unexplained overruns.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Demand rigorous justification for new spending and resist tax increases that aren’t tied to measurable results.

• Advocate for spending that prioritizes education, public safety, infrastructure, and quality-of-life improvements you can actually see and feel.
  Insist on competitive bidding for contracts to get the best value for taxpayers.

• Champion long-term financial planning to avoid last-minute budget crises and tax spikes.

• Hold city departments accountable for delivering projects on time and on budget.

Transparency isn’t optional... it’s essential for earning and keeping public trust. If we’re asking you to pay more, we need to prove the city will deliver more in return.

As a parent of a rising 2nd and 3rd grader, I know firsthand that nothing is more important than the quality of our schools. It’s a simple truth: families choose communities based on the strength of their education system.

Yet for too long, Methuen has suffered from an unhealthy divide between City Hall and the School Department. This so-called “wall” doesn’t protect us... it holds us back. We need to break it down and replace it with real collaboration.

That means working together openly, honestly, and respectfully to do what’s best for our students, families, and taxpayers alike. We must reject the divisive narratives that pit the city against the schools or accuse either side of playing games with the budget. Transparency and communication should be the rule, not the exception. This hasn't been the case but in the latest budget cycle was improved.

My time on the School Committee has given me a clear view of how things really work behind the curtain. I’ve seen firsthand the commitment and professionalism of the team managing our schools and they’ve earned my respect. I also bring a thorough understanding of school funding and education law to the table all of which was learned "on the job".

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Work to strengthen the partnership between City Hall and the School Department through regular, public, and productive dialogue.

• Prioritize transparent budgeting that shows clearly how city and school dollars are allocated and spent.

• Seek efficiencies and improvements without threatening jobs or undermining the quality of education.

• Promote shared goals and a unified vision for Methuen’s future, putting kids and families first.

• Advocate for state funding and policies that support our students and relieve local tax pressure.

Methuen’s kids deserve the best education we can give them and that starts with a City Council and School Committee that work together, not against each other. It's time we stop focusing on the narrative that the school's are "51% of our budget" because they are about +1,800 employees, +6,500 students, and so much more. 

Everyone in Methuen deserves to feel safe in their home, proud of their street, and connected to their neighborhood.

A city’s true character is defined block by block, neighborhood by neighborhood. From well-maintained roads and sidewalks to reliable public safety and clean public spaces, these are the fundamentals of a livable community and they need to be our priority.

Too often, we let basic quality-of-life issues slip through the cracks while costs go up. Residents shouldn’t have to fight for street repairs, wait endlessly for trash cleanup, or wonder when the next break-in will happen. We need to do better.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Support strong, well-resourced police and fire departments that protect all of Methuen.

• Advocate for regular maintenance and improvement of roads, sidewalks, and public spaces with open and transparent management of the infamous "list".

• Push for cleaner streets, parks, and neighborhoods through better trash collection and blight enforcement.

• Support community programs that foster neighborhood pride and engagement.

A clean, safe, and welcoming Methuen isn’t just good policy... it’s the promise we make to our families and neighbors. Let’s deliver on it together.

Rising taxes and costs shouldn’t mean losing the place you’ve always called home.

Methuen’s seniors and other residents on fixed incomes are being squeezed harder every year. Property taxes go up, essential costs rise, and too many of our longtime neighbors are forced to make heartbreaking choices: sell their home, leave their community, or go without other necessities.

We owe it to those who built and sustained this city, our parents, grandparents, veterans, and neighbors, to make sure they can stay here with dignity and security.

We need creative, practical solutions that keep people in their homes without sacrificing essential city services.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Advocate for tax relief options and exemptions targeted to seniors and fixed-income residents.

• Support exploring deferred tax payment programs to reduce immediate burdens without forcing sales.

• Push for partnerships with state and nonprofit programs that help seniors and others with rising costs.

• Encourage budgeting practices that avoid sharp tax spikes and spread costs fairly.

• Prioritize services that help seniors age in place, from transportation to public safety to social supports.

• Promote clear, accessible information so residents know what help is available.

Methuen should be a place where you can build a life and stay for a lifetime. Let’s make sure we’re taking care of those who need it most.

City government should never feel out of reach.

As your City Councilor, I will make sure you don’t have to fight to be heard or wonder what’s going on at City Hall. I believe in real accessibility, honest conversation, and practical help for the everyday issues that affect your life.

I’m committed to holding regular monthly office hours—not just in one place, but rotating throughout Methuen’s neighborhoods so every resident has a chance to participate. These won’t be stiff, one-way sessions. I’ll invite department heads, city staff, and other elected officials to join us for open, transparent conversations about the issues that matter to you.

It’s about bringing City Hall to you. Answering your questions. Hearing your ideas. Helping you navigate city services. And making sure you have a real say in shaping the community we share.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Hold consistent, monthly office hours in accessible locations throughout the city.

• Invite city departments and fellow elected officials to participate and answer your questions directly.

• Foster open, respectful dialogue so residents feel comfortable raising concerns and suggesting solutions.

• Work proactively to help people navigate city services, solve problems, and feel heard.

• Build trust through transparency, follow-up, and genuine accountability.

• Help people not just live in Methuen—but truly love being part of it.

I want everyone in Methuen to feel they belong, have a voice, and can be proud of the city we’re building together.

Audits shouldn’t just be paperwork. They should lead to real, lasting improvements.

One of the things I’m most proud of in time as an elected official has been helping to move the school department audit forward. I have high expectations that it will identify opportunities to make our schools better while also showcasing everything our educators and staff already do well. (It is expected to be finalized soon which means I will need to update this then.) 

But releasing an audit report isn’t the finish line... it’s just the start. The Police Department and Department of Public Works have also completed audits in recent years, with significant taxpayer money spent on these reviews. We can’t afford to let these reports gather dust or let old problems quietly return.

There must be real, consistent follow-up and accountability. We need to monitor progress, check that recommendations are actually implemented, and keep the public informed every step of the way. We can’t stop with a few departments. We should make regular audits part of how Methuen ensures good government across the board.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Insist on clear, public action plans in response to audit recommendations.

• Support regular progress updates so residents know what’s being done.

• Push for ongoing monitoring to make sure reforms stick and bad habits don’t creep back.

• Advocate for expanding audits to other departments so we continuously improve city operations.

• Ensure that the money we spend on audits is an investment in real change and not just a box checked.

Methuen taxpayers deserve accountability, transparency, and a government that learns and improves. Let’s make sure our audits lead to action.

City employees deserve to be paid fairly and taxpayers deserve a process they can trust.

Too often in Methuen, we vote on collective bargaining agreements or department head contracts simply because “that’s how we do it here,” or to ensure we get the support of a department, or because we personally like the people involved. That’s not a responsible or sustainable way to manage public money or to build a strong city workforce.

Most major companies conduct compensation studies or pay benchmarking every 12–18 months to ensure they’re paying employees competitively and fairly. Methuen should do the same. We need an objective, professional review of how our pay compares to similar communities and the broader job market.

I will not vote to approve a single collective bargaining agreement or contract for a department head without a study performed by a legitimate, respected third party.

Our goal shouldn’t be to be the lowest-paying municipality because that drives away talent. But we also can’t afford to be the highest without justification. We need to pay people fairly so we can attract the best talent and treat them well enough to keep them.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Advocate for a citywide compensation and classification study by an independent, respected firm.

• Require that pay benchmarking data guide all contract negotiations.

• Push for regular, recurring studies so pay stays competitive, fair, and sustainable.

• Promote transparency in how compensation decisions are made.

• Support fair pay that respects both our employees and our taxpayers.

Methuen needs to modernize how we manage pay and not just keep doing it the old way because it’s easy. Let’s make sure we’re being fair, smart, and responsible with every dollar.

Big decisions about city-owned properties should balance history, community needs, and fiscal responsibility.

I was opposed to the purchase of the Searles Estate from the start. The city bought it to appease a small group of people without a real plan for its use or a way to cover the true cost of ownership. Now, taxpayers are left footing the bill on holding costs, and we have to figure out what comes next.

I’m all for protecting Methuen’s historical character and value. But preservation can’t come at the expense of the city’s overall wellbeing or fiscal health. We need a practical, balanced approach that respects history while being honest about what we can afford.

When it comes to our surplus school properties, including Pleasant Valley School and the Currier Building, it’s time to face facts. Both likely need to be demolished. But before we commit city money to that, we must make every effort to sell them as-is, avoiding costs if possible.

I believe all net proceeds from these sales should go directly to school infrastructure needs like continued asbestos abatement, replacing rotted cabinetry, and fixing the buildings our students and teachers actually use.

We also need to stop interfering with the market or chasing politically popular but unrealistic ideas. Instead, we should partner with whoever will bring real value to Methuen, strengthening our tax base and improving our city without burdening residents.

As your City Councilor, I will:

• Insist on clear-eyed, transparent discussions about the true costs and potential uses of the Searles Estate.

• Balance historical preservation with financial responsibility and community needs.

• Make sure any surplus school properties are marketed aggressively without unnecessary city spending.

• Ensure all net proceeds from sales are reinvested into improving active school facilities.

• Promote partnerships that deliver real benefits to Methuen, not just short-term headlines.

Methuen can’t afford expensive mistakes or half-baked plans. Let’s make sure every property decision strengthens our community for the long term.