Methuen

Methuen Takes Precautions after Critical EEE Assessment

⋅ City/Town News ⋅ , ⋅ 0 Comments

City of Methuen
Mayor James Jajuga
Methuen City Hall
Searles Building
41 Pleasant St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 26, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Takes Precautions after Critical EEE Assessment

Evening Activities Cancelled 

Residents Urged to Use Caution and Limit Outdoor Activities after Sunset

Methuen Emergency Operations Center Activated

Areas West of I-93 to Undergo Spraying Wednesday Evening from 7:30 p.m. to Midnight

City officials will address the media at 7:30 TONIGHT, Monday, Aug. 26 at the Methuen Police Department Emergency Operations Center, 90 Hampshire St.

METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga, Community Development Director William Buckley, Emergency Management Director and Police Chief Joseph Solomon and Fire Chief Tim Sheehy announce that the City of Methuen is taking a number of steps in response to the threat of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Earlier today, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health elevated the city’s risk for EEE to “critical” after a horse in the western portion of the city died from EEE. The horse died on Aug. 23 and tested positive for EEE today. A positive EEE test in an animal automatically raises a community’s threat level to “critical” — the highest  level.

As a result of this designation, the City of Methuen’s emergency management team met at 3:30 today with the following city officials present:

  • Mayor Jajuga
  • Chief of Staff/Chief Operating Officer Paul Fahey
  • School Superintendent Brandi Kwong
  • Chief Solomon
  • Police Captain Kristopher McCarthy
  • Chief Sheehy
  • Fire Communications Director John Molori
  • Economic & Community Development Director William Buckley
  • Public Health Agent Amy Ewing
  • School Facilities Director Bruce Stella
  • School Athletics Director Matt Curran
  • Recreation Director Bill Pare

During the meeting, the city has implemented a number of safety steps including:

  • The Methuen Emergency Operations Center activated at 4:30 p.m. Monday and will remain open until at least 12:30 a.m. Tuesday. Any resident with questions or concerns can call 978-382-3360 during that time.
  • The Methuen Health Department will provide staff starting at 8 a.m. Tuesday to field citizens calls and concerns. The health department can be reached at 978-983-8661 during normal business hours.
  • Additional telephone resources will be made available outside normal business hours if needed. Residents are also encouraged to visit the city website at cityofmethuen.net for regular updates.
  • Areas west of Rt. 93 will undergo mosquito spraying on Wednesday evening from 7:30 p.m. to midnight, weather permitting. In case of poor weather, spraying will occur on Thursday.
  • The City will formally request to the Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District that the entire city, including parks and fields to be sprayed for mosquitoes
  • All outdoor events and public school sports practices and games on city property will have a hard end time of 7 p.m. until Sept. 30.
  • All outdoor events and public school sports practices and games on city property will have a hard end time of 6 p.m. from Oct. 1 through the first hard frost
  • Methuen Public Schools will distribute to families and students a revised schedule of athletic, band and other outdoor events.

The City of Methuen is part of the Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control District, a state agency that provides mosquito control activities to 36 communities in the region. The District ultimately determines when and where spraying occurs on a priority basis. 

The City is following DPH guidelines and advising all residents to limit outdoor exposure after sundown. Residents should strongly consider cancelling or rescheduling any planned outdoor activities until further notice.  Methuen residents are strongly advised to limit outside exposure after sundown for the time being.

“We are taking all precautions against EEE,” Mayor Jajuga said. “It is not common for a community in Essex County to face this level of concern for the virus, and we hope all residents read and follow these vital safety guidelines.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections or encephalitis. EEE causes very few human cases each year but can be fatal or leave victims with serious, lifelong complications.

The city and state offer the following important guidelines about EEE and mosquito-borne illness:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours. Consider cancelling or rescheduling planned outdoor evening events and activities. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent if you do go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

The Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District offers the following tips for residents ahead of spraying:

  • Please keep pets and children indoors during the hours of the spray.
  • Please refrain from nightly walks on spray route during hours of scheduled spray activity.
  • Air conditioners left on are OK.
  • Close windows on the street side.
  • It is OK to re-open doors/windows and let pets out 15 minutes after spray is complete.

###

 

Methuen EEE Risk Elevated to Critical after Positive Test in Horse

⋅ Uncategorized ⋅ , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

City of Methuen
Mayor James Jajuga
Methuen City Hall
Searles Building
41 Pleasant St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Monday, Aug. 26, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen EEE Risk Elevated to Critical

Residents Urged to Use Caution and Limit Outdoor Activities after Sunset

METHUEN — Mayor James Jajuga and Community Development Director William Buckley report that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has elevated the city’s risk for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) to “critical” on Monday afternoon in light of positive mosquito testing for the virus and positive testing in a horse in Methuen.

A positive EEE test in an animal automatically raises the threat level for EEE to “critical” in a community.

As a result of this designation, the City of Methuen’s emergency management team is meeting at 3:30 p.m. today to discuss measures the city will undertake. Further information will be released after that meeting.

The City is following DPH guidelines and advising all residents to limit outdoor exposure after sundown. Residents should strongly consider cancelling or rescheduling any planned outdoor activities until further notice.

“We are very concerned about the critical EEE designation. It is not common for a community in Essex County to face this level of concern for the virus, so we feel it is extremely important to gather our leadership team this afternoon and make sure we have a strategy and messaging plan in place that will offer responsible guidelines to all Methuen residents and business owners,” Mayor Jajuga said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the EEE virus is a rare cause of brain infections or encephalitis. EEE causes very few human cases each year but can be fatal or leave victims with serious, lifelong complications.

The city and state offer the following important guidelines about EEE and mosquito-borne illness:

Avoid Mosquito Bites

  • Limit outdoor activities during peak mosquito hours. Consider cancelling or rescheduling planned outdoor evening events and activities. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. If you are outdoors at any time and notice mosquitoes around you, take steps to avoid being bitten by moving indoors, covering up and/or wearing repellent.
  • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks while outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Apply insect repellent if you do go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied directly to your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

  • Drain standing water: Many mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools and change water in birdbaths frequently.
  • Install or repair window and door screens: Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Information about EEE and reports of current and historical EEE virus activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website here.

###

Methuen Police Invite Public to Attend Grady’s Gladiators Fundraiser

⋅ City/Town News, Client News ⋅ , , , , , , , , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Invite Public to Attend Grady’s Gladiators Fundraiser

Proceeds to Support Research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Grady Smith, 8, is the son of Methuen Police Officer Jeff Smith, and was diagnosed with ALD in 2018. A fundraiser to raise money to support research for ALD and bone marrow transplants at the Dane-Farber Cancer Institute will be held this weekend at Searles Castle in Windham. (Courtesy Photo Smith Family)

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga are inviting the public to attend a fundraiser this weekend that will raise money to support research for a rare genetic disorder, Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), and bone marrow transplants at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

WHEN:

Sunday, Aug. 25 from 1-6 p.m.

WHERE:

Searles Castle, 21 Searles Road, Windham, New Hampshire

WHAT:

In August 2018, Grady Smith — the son of Methuen Police Officer Jeff Smith —  was diagnosed with ALD, a brain disorder that damages myelin, which acts as a barrier that protects and surrounds the brain’s neurons. At the time, Grady was 7-years-old.

There is no cure for ALD, but after an extended hospital stay, bone marrow transplant, continued testing and extensive, ongoing therapy, the progression of Grady’s disease is stable.

Since they learned of Grady’s condition, Officer Smith and his wife Jillian have dedicated themselves to promoting ALD awareness and advocating for ALD screening for newborns.

Sunday’s fundraiser, Grady’s Gladiators’ Best Day Ever, will raise money for the Grady’s Gladiators team at the 2019 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk and support research for ALD and bone marrow transplants at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The event will feature a Corn Hole Tournament, touch a truck event, silent auction, face painting, DJ, raffle, food vendors and cash bar.

Emergency vehicles from the Methuen Police Department, Salem Police Department, Salem Fire Department and Windham Fire Department will be on display at the event, as well as vehicles belonging to local landscaping companies.

“We encourage anyone who would like to join us in supporting the Smith family’s mission to raise awareness and support ALD research to attend this weekend’s fundraiser,” Chief Solomon said. “Officer Smith and his family have worked tremendously hard to organize this event in an effort to help others suffering from ALD, and the Methuen Police Department is honored and pleased to be able to join them in that mission this weekend.”

Tickets to the event are $25 per person, and children 12-years-old and younger will be admitted for free with an adult. Two-person cornhole teams must also register as a team, for a $20 fee. To purchase tickets and register a cornhole team, click here. Tickets will also be available for $35 per person at the door of the event, cash only.

“It’s remarkable to watch the community rally around the Smith family during this difficult time, and it’s commendable that they have taken it upon themselves to raise awareness and put together an event to support new research,” Mayor Jajuga said. “It’s wonderful to know the entire Methuen Police Department supports their work, and we wish them good fortune and a day of fun at Sunday’s event.”

Sponsors of the event include the New Hampshire NeuroSpine Institute, Mueskes Landscape and Snow Management, NER Construction, Searles Castle, Georgetown Insurance Agency, Access Tent LLC, DJ’s Custom Clothing, Aria Covey Foundation, Enterprise Bank, The Hype Agency, Ford Flower Co. LLC, Cabinet Outlet and CrossCountry Mortgage, Inc. Salem, New Hampshire.

###

 

Methuen Police Host National Night Out

⋅ Client News, Police News ⋅ , , , , , ⋅ 0 Comments

Methuen Police Department
Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844

For Immediate Release

Friday, Aug. 9, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Methuen Police Host National Night Out

Methuen Police visited a block party at Twin Oaks Condos on Oak Street on Tuesday as part of the department’s celebrations for National Night Out. (Courtesy Photo)

METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon and Mayor James Jajuga are pleased to share that the Methuen Police Department hosted a National Night Out event earlier this week.

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, neighborhoods throughout Methuen participated in the National Night Out event with block parties and ice cream socials.  All National Night Out gatherings around the city were coordinated by the Methuen Police Department’s Community Outreach Bureau.

“National Night Out is always an engaging way for our officers to connect with neighborhoods throughout the city,” Chief Solomon said. “I’d like to thank our Community Outreach Bureau for putting this event together. It took a lot of work and coordination, and was a great community event for everyone.”

Held on the first Tuesday in August, National Night Out is a nationwide campaign designed to strengthen the relationship between police and fire officials and residents in order to foster partnerships and improve safety in neighborhoods.

“National Night Out is a wonderful initiative, and it allows our residents to meet and get to know members of the police department in a fun way,” Mayor Jajuga said. “It’s incredibly important for the community to feel connected to the police department, and this event is great at fostering that relationship and providing insight into the work our police officers do daily to protect and serve our city.”

Festivities kicked off on Tuesday in the Arlington Neighborhood. Methuen Police visited participating neighborhoods throughout the city from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday.

Several groups held block parties to celebrate National Night Out, including the Methuen Arlington Neighborhood on Tenney Street, 15 Emery Street, 24 Mystic Street, 945 Riverside Dr. Unit 27A, Rebecca Way, 4 Fox Run Lane, Franklin Avenue, Twin Oaks Condos on Oak Street and Senior Living at Merrimack Valley Apartments on Calumet Road. Ice cream socials were also held at elder housing at 222 Pelham St, Methuen Village at 4 Gleason St. and an ice cream stand was hosted at Mann’s Orchard on Pleasant Valley St.

###

 

1 2 3 4 5 >»