Methuen Council approves contract for city solicitor after debate over salary steps and COLA

METHUEN, Mass. — The Methuen City Council voted 8–1 Monday to approve Contract C2592, an employment agreement with Paul O'Neil for the city solicitor position, after a lengthy debate about salary steps and automatic cost-of-living adjustments.

The vote came during a special council meeting held June 23 in the Great Hall. The contract passed on a roll call of eight in favor, one opposed; Councilor Ferretra cast the lone no vote.

Councilors and public speakers focused on the contract's immediate base salary, future step increases and whether time served as an interim should count toward longer step schedules. John Drew, a Methuen resident who testified during public participation, urged the council to alter the contract so the base salary would be $160,000 effective July 1 and to delay automatic COLA step effects to save roughly $5,000 in fiscal 2026. “I want to be clear, I'm not questioning Mister O'Neil's skill or dedication. He is well qualified,” Drew said, then pressed the council on the structure and timing of increases.

Paul O'Neil, who addressed…