Town to cut police, fire, and DPW staff
Published on March 21st, 2001
STONEHAM, MA - Selectmen and Town Administrator Ron Florino have agreed to cut two policemen, two firefighters and one public works employee to balance the fiscal year 2002 town budget.
“And I anticipate more cuts in 2003,” Florino added at the Chapter 70 forum on Monday.
Stoneham has reduced police and fire close to 30 percent over the past 10 years. Looking back to 1981, Stoneham had 43 police officers and 67 public works employees. In 2002, 37 cops will be on the beat, and 32 public works men and women will keep the roads clear and parks clean.
This year the town offered early retirement packages to two firefighters, two police patrolman and two superior police officers. The fire department positions and two police positions won’t be filled. Also, the position of a public works employee scheduled to retiree this year will be eliminated.
Considering salaries and health insurance, the town will save $160,000 from the cops cut, $100,000 from the firefighters and $38,000 from public works. Also, $20,000 will be cut from police overtime and $36,000 from public works operating costs.
As of press time, the only official cut is in the public works department. Selectmen voted to cut the $74,000 at their March 14 meeting. The final details for police and fire are subject to the personnel accepting retirement.
“We’ll have to wait until March 31 to see who has accepted,” said Selectman Al Conti.
Unofficially, two patrolman and two firefighters have come forward.
Selectman Cosmo Ciccarello said that a secretary in the Town Administrator’s office is also contemplating early retirement. This is important because every little bit will help to close the gap, Ciccarello said.
The remaining gap on the municipal side of the town budget is $537,000 not counting police and fire cuts; but this should shrink to around $257,000 if police and fire budget cuts go as planned.
The school department portion of the town budget remains around $450,000 over budget. Renting the East School, cutting teachers, cutting administrators and asking Town Meeting for more money are among the final options for the School Committee.
“More cuts are coming,” said Selectman Darin Leahy. “We only have so much money.”
The most painful part of the process is the battle between departments. As he looks at the multi-million dollar department budgets of public safety and education, veteran Public Library Director Hugh Williams is not happy about the possibility of losing Sunday hours for a $10,000 savings.
“Can’t they find that money somewhere else?” Williams asked. The total fiscal 2002 town budget is around $48 million.
Many people are asking the same question as Williams. The town budget comes to Town Meeting on May 7.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!