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December 14, 2008
Dear Editor:
Finance Committee/Capital
Programs
In the past several years, we
have witnessed budgets for the City of Haverhill that have been
put together under crisis management. We need a different approach.
An ongoing issue has been the
absence of any long range plan for major purchases, capital improvements
and associated maintenance which has resulted in the deteriorating
infrastructure Haverhill faces today. Without planning, our city
has been left in the undesirable position of responding to crisis
after crisis as elements of Haverhill's infrastructure fail around
us, such as the Hunking and Whittier Middle Schools, Citizens'
Center and High Street Fire Station. The cost to Haverhill taxpayers
is much higher when infrastructure is only addressed under crisis
situations.
It would be my recommendation
as Mayor to form a Finance Committee, drawn from citizens with
appropriate skills, that would work with departments heads to
review annual budgets and project capital needs for the next
five years. An overview of all the needs, current and future
for all departments is critical to the formulation and stability
of the budget.
Anticipating large items and
planning for them well in advance will strengthen the infrastructure
and avoid emergency situations. Simply put, as each department
voices its own particular needs, the finance committee would
work with them to determine if the need is for one year from
now or 4 years from now. In year one, we may need a new fire
truck and a new roof on one of the schools. Another school may
need new windows, but after careful analysis it is determined
that they can wait for one more year.
High priority should be given
to replacing large items prior to the time that they have deteriorated
to the point where they are hazardous, incur high maintenance
costs, or no longer serve their intended purposes.
You would not let your roof leak
to the point of rotting timbers. You would know that in year
15 or 16 of the roof's 20 year life expectancy that planning
for replacement of the shingles in a timely manner would, in
the long run save you money. And yet, it cannot be done this
year because the house needs to be painted. You have however
determined that you need to budget for this in the future. The
concept of long range capital planning is exactly the same.
To ensure that the capital plan
does not just gather dust, the first year of the five year plan
will be enacted with passage of the budget by the City Council,
while the remaining four years will be used to gauge future work
so that there are no surprises. The five year capital plan will
be updated twice a year.
It will not be an easy transition.
The initial review of these needs will undoubtedly create an
inventory that seems overwhelming. Ultimately, however, this
system in conjunction with an aggressive economic development
plan and a performance-based budget with measurable results will
provide more time to plan for funding and sources of funding
as well as more security for the departments in need and clear
accountability to the citizens of Haverhill.
John Michitson
119 Kenoza Street
Haverhill, MA
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