Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 2021 | FROM PAGE 7 Marchese about the importance of each election. “Every two years, term limits are in effect,” he said. Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins also supported having term limits. “I’m in favor of term limits across the board,” she said, adding that they would promote an equal ratio of new and experienced officials. “I think we will have the healthy balance that we’re looking for.” However, Councillor-at-Large John Hanlon spoke in opposition. “The way that you stay in office is by doing a good job,” he said, adding that he would not want to see anyone leave because of term limits. Although in favor of the Order, Ward 1 Councillor Fred Capone said he was against any Charter changes that are not on the ballot. “At the heart of our government is the Charter. It shouldn’t be this easy to change it, it really shouldn’t,” he said. JUNE City Council opens budget hearings As the budget process for fiscal year 2022 moved forward, department heads began pitching their requests to the City Council’s Budget Committee. During a June 2 hearing, Mayor Carlo DeMaria proposed to establish a Transportation Department to be funded at $490,100. The department would be run by Jay Monty, the city’s transportation planner. In this new role, Monty would receive an annual salary of $110,000. A junior director, an individual who recently completed graduate school, would also be hired at a salary of $70,000. “That’s a modest rate for that position,” said Monty. “We’ve done a lot with very little over the past few years.” The remaining budget hearings were held on June 5. quested if the salary needs to be adjusted to find the right applicant. In addition, DiFlorio took issue with the stipends for the city’s boards and commissions. “Some of these board members are making $1,500 and $2,200 and they do as much work as we do,” she said. “It’s pretty sad because we’re making over $25,000 to be councillors.” In terms of reductions, Ward Shown from left to right are State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Greystar Real Estate Partners Managing Director Gary Kerr, State Representative Joseph McGonagle and CBT Architects Principal Alfred Wojciechowski during the June 23 groundbreaking for the first of two mixed-use buildings at 85 Boston St. (Photo Courtesy of Greystar Real Estate Partners) During that meeting, the Fire Department requested $12.1 million, representing an increase of $800,000. During the hearing, then-Fire Chief Anthony Carli said, “18-20” new firefighters would be joining the department. However, they could not be officially added to the roster until they completed the three-month training program at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy. Carli also said the time had come to purchase a new truck for Ladder 1, adding that it should arrive by the end of the year. Carli said the Federal Emergency Management Agency provided funding for a state-of-the-art fire boat, which was also expected to arrive by the end of the year. “We’re extremely excited about that,” he said. The request for the Police Department was $16.2 million compared to $15.8 million last year. Police Chief Steven Mazzie said 10 officers would be joining the department during the next year. He said a number of officers were eligible for pay increases and that $1 million was budgeted for overtime compensation. In addition, Mazzie said $314,329 was earmarked to purchase new patrol vehicles, an increase of $164,329. “Vehicle pricing is through the roof; it’s gotten extremely expensive,” he said, adding that the department was also considering electric vehicles. The budget for the Mayor’s Office came in at $929,998, representing a decrease of $1.1 million. Ward 5 Councillor Rosa DiFlorio called attention to the fact that $147,900 was budgeted for Erin Deveney, Mayor Carlo DeMaria’s current chief of staff. “I just want to clarify something. The chief of staff last year was getting paid $61,000 because he couldn’t make any more than that,” she said. “I just want to make that clear.” DiFlorio also questioned why only $85,000 was being offered to hire a director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “I feel like we’re not paying a lot of money in this city, even though it sounds like a lot,” she said. However, Deveney said an additional appropriation would be re1 Councillor Fred Capone made motions to eliminate DeMaria’s $6,000 auto allowance, to cut the advertising budget by $16,300 and to cut other miscellaneous expenses by $25,000. Each motion was voted down. Capone’s final motion on the Mayor’s Office budget was to reduce the official celebrations line item from $100,000 to $75,000. However, City Council President Pro Tempore Anthony DiPierro responded in opposition. “To vote for a reduction tells a story that we want less community engagement and less community enjoyment,” he said. “I’m not willing to do that.” Capone’s motion ultimately failed by a vote of 8-2. The budget for the Department of Public Works (DPW) came in at $13.5 million, a decrease of $700,000. After reviewing the DPW’s request, Capone made a motion to reduce the line item for citywide seasonal expenditures from $100,000 to $75,000. However, his motion was defeated in a 5-2 vote. Capone made another motion to cut the landscaping line item by $100,000. Although closer, that motion was also defeated in a 4-4 vote. However, DiFlorio made a motion to reduce body shop repairs from $70,000 to $50,000 and her motion passed, 5-3. 2021 | SEE PAGE 9
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