Page 10 COVID-19 | FROM Page 8 Last week’s positivity rate was 3.82 percent. That was more than four times the state positivity average of.87 percent over the same period. People can compare the number of COVID-19 cases confi rmed in Revere to the cases in neighboring cities and towns as well as communities of similar size by going to the DPH website at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-response-reporting – click on COVID-19 cases by city/town. Here’s how nine area communities compare to Revere – and the statewide totals: Lynn: 4,950 cases, 194 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 3.01 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 9.8, 24th highest in the state. Revere: 2,741 cases, 196 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 3.48 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 17.8, ninth highest in the state. Everett: 2,364 cases, 159 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 3.74 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 19.3, eighth highest in the state. Malden: 1,597 cases, 107 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.86 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 10.4, 20th highest in the state. Peabody: 1,224 cases, 52 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.43 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 in the last 14 days – 5.5. Saugus: 734 cases, 45 total positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.83 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 7.5, 46th highest in the state. Wakefi eld: 371 cases, 15 total positive tests in the last 14 days,.70 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 3.4. Melrose: 342 cases, 20 positive tests in the last 14 days,.65 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 4.7. Reading: 349 cases, 14 positive tests in the last 14 days,.75 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 3.1. Lynnfi eld: 147 cases, 14 positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.37 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 7.4. Statewide totals: 133,868 cases, 8,471 positive tests in the last 14 days, 1.04 percent positivity. Average daily incidence rate per 100,000 last 14 days – 7.3. (Data compiled by DPH and made public as of Oct. 7, 2020.) THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2020 PAY | FROM Page 1 salaries, I respect the council’s overall objections to approve a budget that imposes the least fi nancial burden on the taxpayer. Consequently, despite my reservations, I did not challenge the council’s ultimate decision.” However, Arrigo said the council’s decision did not diminish the importance of the positions he sought to fund as part of reorganization of the city’s administrative framework. “As the Covid19 pandemic continues to impose extraordinary demands on our workforce, it underscores the need for a skilled and dedicated staff ,” Arrigo stated. “I have explored alternative means of funding the payroll adjustments without affecting the 2021 fi scal year budget. I have determined we are able to restore the unfunded portions of salaries with a combination of federal, state, and local dollars without impacting the city’s bottom line.” But for Zambuto, even though the mayor stated that the positions could be fully funded without any additional tax burden, the action was seen as a brazen end run around the authority of the City Council. “I am distraught by a memo that tells me the mayor is about to circumvent the will of the City Council,” said Zambuto. “We had Caring for you in it’s what we do best Dental care at no cost to you $305 towards eyeglass frames YMCA membership or $55 per month for gym membership We speak your language Join today! Call 1-888-566-3526 (TTY 711) www.seniorwholehealth.com/SNP Senior Whole Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. 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H2224_2019_77906_M Accepted 9/24/2019 *Limitations may apply Nurse Care Manager to coordinate your care Up to $400 a year for health-related items Transportation to and from your doctor appointments* a highly contentious budget deliberation, and my constituents voted for the City Council to be the legislative body for the mayor.” Zambuto said he is sure that the mayor found some kind of legal loophole that ensures the funding is strictly legal, but said the move goes against the will of the council for more than just fi nancial considerations. “I simply see that if we can do this then we are heading in the territory of a banana republic and a dictatorship,” said Zambuto. “The citizens elect the mayor to be the chief executive offi cer, and they elect the City Council to do the city’s business, especially when it comes to the appropriation of funds. I’m sure there is going to be an explanation coming as to how this fi ts into some, what I’ll call, loophole, but what it really does is circumvent the City Council, and I can’t stand for that.” Councillor-at-Large Gerry Visconti made a motion on top of Zambuto’s asking the mayor to appear before the council requesting that the council ask for a written opinion from the state’s bureau of finance law on the legality of the appropriations for the salary adjustments made by the mayor. “This is not political; this is strictly about checks and balances,” said Visconti. “I want to make sure we are doing the right thing, and I assume the administration has done that. But I’m here to represent the residents.” Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo echoed the sentiment that the council is needed to provide checks and balances in the budget process. “What we cut, it was very, very small,” Rotondo said. “But how can you give a pay raise – and people deserved the raise; make no mistake about it, they worked hard – but when you have people being laid off and losing their house or losing jobs here in the city itself, it is hard to justify that.” Zambuto reiterated that the mayor had circumvented the will of the council. “I’ve never seen a mayor try to get around the City Council like this since I’ve been on in 21 years,” said Zambuto. “I would like to get this train back on track.” The council voted to discuss the issue further at a future Ways and Means Subcommittee meeting. “This was not about money; it was about being an appropriate time to give pay increases during a pandemic when people were laid off ,” said Zambuto. “It doesn’t make it okay to do it through the backdoor. This is repugnant; this is ‘banana republic’ stuff , and I’m not going to tolerate it.”
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