Here is my response to budget
review thus far:
1. It is absurd that deferring
Hale Hospital debt payments again and extending "albatross"
until 2026 is seen as central to the Mayor's "long range
plan." This is unsound and simply extends the financial
crisis, instead of shortening it. While on the council, I reluctantly
supported the last five year deferral with the understanding
that it was a one-time measure. I understand the need to find
capacity in the budget, but this is analogous to the nation's
credit card debt crisis - just pay the bill to lessen the long
term debt.
2. Councilor Michael McGonagle's request to get the honest cost
numbers for GIC heath insurance is crucial to the long range
plan. The Mayor and unions need to have mutual respect in negotiations,
which does not seem to be the case with the constant spinning
in the local newspaper. It needs to be give and take, like the
patrolman's union compromise last year, where health insurance
concessions were traded for 2% raises. It is crucial to get an
accurate picture of GIC implications from both the city and employees'
perspectives, respectively, so that progress can be made in reducing
the City's burden, while minimizing negative impact to employees.
If the GIC does not work, then an alternate plan must be negotiated
that hits the sweet spot between the needs of the City and employees.
3. The cuts to the Public Library since FY08 appear to be disproportionate
and the service reduction severe. I recommend restoring some
of the lost positions - at least the Reference position and three
Children's room positions, so that those functions can be provided
without significant reductions in hours. The Public Library gives
the entire community, including those less fortunate, equal access
to knowledge, which is the key to academic and career success.
Many of the suggestions made during budget discussions thus far
to provide additional funds to restore positions, such as Councilor
Donahue's suggestion of using available funds intended to study
the Merrimack River, and the ideas from the Fire unions, which
have not yet been revealed, should be addressed.
All pieces of information must
be accurately revealed and analyzed. Unfortunately, not all the
Departments have carefully identified specific cuts in service
levels, which makes it difficult for City Councilors to address
additional cuts if the Mayor wishes to restore positions. No
business in private industry could survive without carefully
identifying the service levels cuts in detail across the board,
along with performance tradeoffs, before making final budget
decisions.
4. As part of the discussion of Fire Department budget, it is
important to present the City Council with the fire emergency
response times and call volume across the City, as well as the
impact if Bradford Fire Station is closed, to start the discussion
of Fire Department budget. What will be the specific impact to
response times and service levels - what are implications with
regard to Ward Hill Business Park - if Bradford fire station
is closed? How severe is the impact versus other City services?
What is the Fire union's alternative cost reduction plan to save
the Bradford Fire station? These are the questions that need
to be answered before shutting down the Fire Station. Despite
a lack of answers to these questions, I personally do not think
there is any intention to shut down Bradford Fire station during
this fall.
John Michitson
(M)339-221-2276
