The Office of Mayor Steve Zanni
Newsletter

September 2013

Greetings!   

 

With summer coming to an end and our children getting ready to

Mayor Zanni joined the Essex Rowing Club for their July competition on the Merrimack River.  A great event that brought crowds of people to Methuen.

return to school, there is much to report on all the exciting things that happened these past few months.

 

From presenting a balanced, responsible City budget, to Methuen being awarded several grants - including almost $1 million dollars in Community Development support, to repairing many of our City's most-traveled roads, and finally kick-starting an initiative that will ensure our City is as energy efficient as possible, I am excited about the positive direction we are continuing to move in!

 

With Methuen children returning to the classroom, certain enhancements have been made to the curriculum we offer.  This includes expanding foreign language courses to the elementary level, while also introducing enrichment courses across the grade levels, creating an environment where we can challenge Methuen students at the advanced levels.

 

I am working hard on behalf of our City and its residents.  Often some of the best suggestions for keeping our City running smoothly comes from the people who live and work here every day. This is why I want to remind you to feel free to contact me at any time at 978-983-8505.

 

Have a great Labor Day weekend!
 
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In This Issue
Solar Panel Installation
Road Improvements
Methuen Awarded Grants
Energy Efficiency
Methuen SEPAC Autism Forum
Greycourt Family Outing
September Artist of the Month
The Mayor's Travels
Solar Panels are Installed
In August, Mayor Zanni invited local and state officials to tour the City's new solar energy field on Huntington Ave.  The solar field, which sits atop the City's former landfill, utilizes land that otherwise would have limited use. By working with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. to install solar panels at this field, the former landfill now hosts an energy production system that is now generating enough energy to power approximately 250 average-sized homes.

"This solar energy system will have a dramatic impact on the City's energy costs," said Mayor Zanni.  "A lot of communities are trying to achieve savings through reduced energy consumption, and now Methuen has something tangible to point to that is producing real results."

The solar panel installation was financed by Borrego Solar through a utility credit purchase agreement that covered all upfront financing costs.  The 1.3-megawatt system
is made up of 5,000 panels and will save the City approximately $80,000 annually.  This project, combined with other solar projects being pursued by the City, is projected to save Methuen more than $15 million dollars over the next twenty years.

"I think a lot of credit is owed to former Mayor Bill Manzi for conceiving this project and getting the ball rolling on seeing the landfill site put to productive use," said Mayor Zanni.

Mayor Zanni also credited the hard work of community
 volunteers and City staff for laying the groundwork on this project.

"Our local volunteers on the Community Development Board,Zoning Board of Appeals, and Conservation Commission put countless hours into seeing this project happen," said Mayor Zanni.  "Their work was supported by the tireless efforts of so many City Hall staff members.  It truly was a collaborative effort."

 
Roadway Improvements


Mayor Zanni worked with Methuen's Department of Public Works in making sure this summer was spent tackling improvements on some of Methuen's most well-traveled roadways.  Through careful planning with the Highway and Engineering Departments, the City of Methuen repaved over 5.5 miles of roads with approximately 7,400 tons of concrete. The City applied almost 65,000 square yards of micro surfacing to just under 4 additional miles of roads.

While some roads required substantial improvements, a number of roads required minor repairs.  Over 12,000 gallons of crack sealant was applied to roads across the City.

"I really want to commend my DPW team - especially those in Engineering and Highway - who were able to complete these tasks with minimal inconveniences to our residents," said Mayor Zanni.  "Many of these roads had gone decades without any repairs.  I am glad we were able to tackle these projects so quickly and efficiently."

The following roads received a variety of improvements:

Argilla Road
Atkinson Street
Beacon Street
Beaumont Road
Coachman Lane
Cross Street
Forest Street
Greenhalge Street
Hampshire Road
Heritage Lane
Lawrence Street
Merrimack Street
Old Homestead
Pelham Street
Phillips Street
Pleasant Valley Street
Salem Street
Tenney Street
Washington Street
 
Methuen Awarded Grants

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Methuen was awarded $800,000 in CDBG funds to address blight conditions, improve neighborhoods, and aid low/moderate income families.  The monies from this program will go towards:

  • Assisting homeowners in bringing deteriorated housing units into compliance with building, plumbing, electrical, and sanitary codes; and
  • Providing no-interest loans to business owners so that they can make improvements to their facade and signage; and
  • Supporting Youth Services in the Methuen Arlington Neigborhood (MAN, Inc); and
  • Subsidizing local public transportation services for senior citizens and disabled residents; and
  • Supporting child care scholarships through the Methuen YMCA; and
  • The Nevins Memorial Library's Adult Literacy Services program will receive funding to provide English classes to low and moderate income Methuen residents (ESOL).
 

DCR Urban & Community Forestry Challenge Grant

Mayor Zanni worked with volunteers on the Methuen Arbor Group and the staff of Groundwork Lawrence to apply for funding through the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).  The City was notified in June that Methuen has qualified for $9,000 in state matching funds to support the Mayor and Arbor Group's efforts.

"We have put in a tremendous amount of work towards laying out a long term plan for expanding Methuen's urban canopy," said Mayor Zanni.  "This is great news for the City."

The DCR grant will go towards planting approximately 50 trees along Broadway, by the Library, at the recreation area at Forest Lake, and by Elmwood Cemetery.  Because this is a matching grant, the City is required to commit $9,000 in support for the project - leading to an $18,000 investment to "green" Methuen.

"The Arbor Group has worked closely with my administration raise private funds and use volunteer support in an effort to cover the match, while keeping costs down for the City," said Mayor Zanni.  "At the end of the day, the cost to the City will be next to nothing, while the benefits will be tremendous."
 
Making Methuen
Energy Efficient

 

For most of Mayor Zanni's term, the City has been developing a plan which would dramatically increase the energy efficiency of our municipal buildings.  With so much money being spent on energy consumption, Mayor Zanni recognized that making an investment in our facilities could yield true savings.

 

Working with Dennis DiZoglio at the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission and looking at services offered by Energy Service Companies, Mayor Zanni and his administration consulted with Peregrine Energy Group and negotiated a contract with Ameresco, Inc. on energy efficiency improvements.  The negotiated contract would call for Ameresco to make approximately $3.7 million dollars in capital improvements in City buildings.  This money will be used to increase the energy performance of Methuen's four elementary schools, the Quinn Building, City Hall, Methuen High School Ice Rink, and the Central Fire Station.

 

"The great thing about this contract is that it is increasing energy efficiency, without costing local taxpayers," said Mayor Zanni. "With so many other communities utilizing these type of investments, there is a proven track record for Methuen to work off of."

 

The $3.7 million dollar investment in improvements will be paid for by future savings on energy costs.  This will be paid over time by utilizing Ameresco's guaranteed annual energy savings.  Once these investments are paid off (through savings!) Methuen will still continue to reap the benefits of these permanent energy improvements. 

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Methuen Autism Forum
Mayor Zanni has teamed up with the Methuen Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) in sponsoring a public presentation on the 2013 Massachusetts Autism Commission Report.
 

Mayor Zanni invited Barbara L'Italien, Chair of the MA Autism Commission, to explain the findings of the Commission and answer questions from residents.

"I've really enjoyed working with the parents of SEPAC," said Mayor Zanni. "I thought this would be a great opportunity for Methuen families impacted by autism to learn more about the direction our state is hoping to move in."

The public presentation will be held on Thursday, September 26th in the Tenney Grammar School auditorium at 75 Pleasant St.  Light refreshments will be served beginning at 6:00pm, with the formal presentation and Q&A beginning at 7:00pm.

For more information, please contact Phil DeCologero at 978-983-8506.
Greycourt Family Outing
Join the Festival of Trees and celebrate its 20th Anniversary as they host this great, free event to thank the community for 20 years of support!
 


For more information, please visit:
www.methuenfestivaloftrees.com 
September
Artist of the Month
Mayor Zanni named Methuen resident Dennis Hart at the September 2013 Methuen Artist of the Month.
 

Dennis is a visual artist who received a Bachelor in Fine Arts degree in Painting and Illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art, and a MFA in Visual Art from Vermont College of Fine Arts.  Dennis will be teaching at Newbury College this fall, and also teaches drawing and painting classes at the Essex Art Center in Lawrence.

"I love that Dennis has used his talents to capture parts of Methuen's landscape," said Mayor Zanni. "Dennis has taken some of the most recognizable parts of Methuen and brought them alive through his work.  He's very talented."
 
For more information on the Mayor's Artist of the Month program, please contact Juliette Cormier at 978-983-8505.

 

Community Calendar
Want to keep up on the great events happening in our City?

Want to make sure our residents know about a public event that you or your organization is hosting?

 
 The Mayor's Travels

Touring School Buildings

 

     Mayor Zanni joined Superintendent Scannell and members of the Methuen School Committee in touring Methuen's different school buildings.  With the students returning to school, this was a great opportunity to make sure all buildings are in prime condition for our students!

 

Senior Center Picnic

 

 
Mayor Zanni stopped into the Senior Center to visit with residents at the Annual Senior Picnic.  With high temperatures and humid weather, residents were treated to lunch in the air conditioned Senior Activity Center.  Mayor Zanni even surprised guests with several pies from Mann Orchards to be raffled off!

 

The Door's Always Open

 

 Mayor Zanni received a request from 6-year old Cara Keegan asking if she could stop by the office to speak with him.  Cara was joined by her mother, and the group had some great conversations.  Cara got a surprise when Mayor Zanni offered her a freeze pop.  A very bright young lady!

 

Reading at the Library

 

 

 

Mayor Zanni stopped by the Nevins Memorial Library to speak with parents and children who had gathered for Methuen SEPAC's story time.  Mayor Zanni was asked if he could read a book to the group - which he gladly did.

 

Senator Markey Visits JayGees!

 

 

Mayor Zanni welcomed US Senator Ed Markey to Methuen.  The two discussed different plans that Mayor Zanni had for Methuen, while specifically showing the Senator around the City.  The two even stopped by Jay Gee's for some great, local ice cream.

 

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