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Methuen council approves school curriculum lease, stadium lights, cybersecurity and water‑heater funding
Summary
At a special July 23 meeting the Methuen City Council approved four vendor contracts and a resolution to reallocate $400,000 from the FY25 CIP to replace water heaters at Comprehensive Grammar School; council cited a July 25 purchase‑order deadline for the curriculum contract and confirmed permits and CIP scheduling for facilities work.
Methuen City’s special council meeting on July 23 approved multiple contracts and a single resolution to reallocate capital funds for school repairs.
The council voted to authorize a six‑year lease with First American Equipment Finance to provide an English language arts curriculum, a contract totaling $1,073,546.96 with annual payments of $199,293.26. City leadership said the superintendent requested an expedited purchase order because “we need to have a purchase order, submitted in time for July 25,” a deadline the mayor relayed to the council. The superintendent told the council the district had applied for a competitive state literacy grant that is currently paused; if awarded, the grant would be used to cover the annual payment, but the award was not assured. “This is a fixed cost. We will not be paying any more for any of the products,” the superintendent said when asked whether upgrades were included in the lease price.
The council also approved Cabelo Electric’s $46,299 contract to install LED lighting at Nicholson Stadium. City leaders said the work is intended to be completed in time for the fall football season and that LED projects are included in the draft FY26 capital improvement plan.
An IT services purchase with EPlus Technology for virus‑protection software, priced at $27,841.31, was approved by roll call.
On capital funding, the council adopted resolution TR2540 to abandon the remaining FY25 CIP allocation for the Marsh Grammar School project and to transfer $400,000 of borrowed funds to pay for a comprehensive water‑heater replacement at Comprehensive Grammar School. The mayor confirmed the Marsh project is expected to be repackaged in the FY26 CIP. Councilors voted to adopt the resolution with emergency provision (EPA) as presented.
Finally, the council authorized a $365,032 contract with Boston Mechanical Services to replace water heaters at Comprehensive Grammar School. A facilities representative told the council the scope involves three water heaters and followed a Board of Health notice about discolored ("browning") water in some fixtures. Councilors asked whether any work had started; city staff and the solicitor said no work had begun and the chair requested that building permits be pulled before work proceeds. City staff confirmed permits will be obtained.
All listed contracts and the resolution passed by roll call vote. The special meeting adjourned at approximately 7:14 p.m.
