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Methuen council appoints Paul O'Neil as city solicitor, tables consideration of his contract amid pay-scale questions
Summary
The Methuen City Council voted to appoint Paul O'Neil as city solicitor at a June 10 special meeting but tabled consideration of his contract after public criticism of the proposed $160,000 agreement and a councilor's objection that the contract did not follow the city's solicitor step pay scale ordinance.
The Methuen City Council appointed Paul O'Neil as city solicitor at a June 10 special meeting, then voted to table consideration of an agreement for the position after public comments and a councilor's objection to the contract's pay structure.
The appointment, filed as resolution GR 02/1932, was moved by Councilor Ferretra and seconded by Councilor Campagnon and approved by roll call (approved; unanimous with one member absent). The related contract, listed as agenda item C2592, was the subject of public criticism and was tabled after a motion by Councilor Storiello, seconded by Councilor Sotto.
Resident Dan Trabilla of 22 Riverview Ave. urged the council to explain how the contract amount reached the agenda, saying the proposed contract was “for a $160,000, which is not a market rate” and that it included “an 11% raise in the first 366 days.” Resident John Drew of 6 Spring Valley Road said approving the contract immediately would be “tone deaf” in light of recent layoffs referenced during public comment.
Councilor Fredericchio said any contract for the city solicitor should follow an existing ordinance that establishes a step pay scale for that position and said he would vote against a contract that does not conform to that pay scale. “Any contract that comes before us should follow that pay scale, and this doesn't,” Fredericchio said, and added he would vote no unless the contract were revised or the item tabled.
Council members clarified that the appointment and the employment contract are separate actions; several councilors noted the committee that handled interviews had recommended O'Neil as the best candidate. After discussion, Councilor Storiello moved to table the contract item; the motion passed and the council recorded the item as tabled (C2592). The motion to table was seconded by Councilor Sotto.
The council moved on after tabling the contract; members asked that documentation of the solicitor pay scale be circulated for review before further action.
The appointment takes effect as recorded in the meeting minutes; the contract for the position will return to a future meeting for further consideration once the pay-scale documentation and any contract revisions are available.
