THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021 Page 3 City Council votes 7-2 to pass $218.9M budget for FY22 T By Christopher Roberson he City Council, during its June 14 meeting, voted 7-2 to approve the $218.9 million budget for fiscal year 2022. The two dissenting votes were cast by Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone and Councillor-at-Large Gerly Adrien. Within this year’s figure, $98.8 million will be used to fund the operating budget for the Everett Public Schools, an increase of $10.6 million over last year. Anu Jayanth, the district’s chief financial officer, said Everett received an $8.6 million boost in Chapter 70 funding. She also said charter school tuition reimbursement is expected to increase by 156 percent over last year, topping out at $1.8 million for fiscal year 2022. In terms of staffing, $2.3 million will be used to fund 25 new positions. Some of these include a second assistant principal at the Parlin School, two teachers at Everett High School and an assistant principal at the Devens School. The English Learners programs will also be expanded at the Webster and Madeline English Schools. Therefore, neither school will have an “opt-out” designation going forward. “This budget is heavily focused on improving student outcomes,” Jayanth said during the district’s June 8 hearing before the council’s Budget Committee. In addition, Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani was able to lay two other matters to rest. She said no employee received a 30 percent raise and that no external company was hired to craft the budget. “That was created by us,” she said. The Fire Department will be funded at $12.1 million in fiscal year 2022, representing an increase of $800,000 over last year. During the prior budget hearing on June 5, Chief Anthony Carli said “18-20” new firefighters will be joining his department. However, they cannot be officially added to the roster until they complete the three-month training program at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Carli also said it has come time to purchase a new truck for Ladder 1, adding that it should arrive by the end of the year and that he strives to get every possible mile out of each vehicle. “We want to get 10 to 15 years out of a frontline piece,” he said. Carli also said the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided funding for a state-of-the-art fire boat, which is also expected to arrive by the end of the year. “We’re extremely excited about that,” he said. The Police Department will be funded at $16.2 million, reflecting an increase of $400,000. Chief Steven Mazzie said 10 officers will be joining the department during the next year. He said a number of officers are also eligible for pay increases and that $1 million has been budgeted for overtime compensation. In addition, Mazzie said $314,329 has been earmarked to purchase new patrol vehicles, an increase of $164,329 over last year. “Vehicle pricing is through the roof; it’s gotten extremely expensive,” he said, adding that the department is also considering electric vehicles. The Department of Public Works (DPW) will be funded at $13.5 million, which is a decrease of $700,000. DPW Director Jerry Navarra said that because of the COVID-19 pandemic his department was not able to hire any seasonal employees last year. However, $135,000 has been earmarked in this year’s budget to fund seasonal jobs. BUDGET | SEE PAGE 21 The budget for the Mayor’s Office came in $1.1 million lower than last year’s figure for a new total of $929,998. Ward 5 Councillor Rosa Di
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