North Adams 'Life Blood' of State Aid Seriously Anemic
 The City Council on Tuesday approved a change in the Rules of Order and an appropriation for the second year of lease agreement. |
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The mayor warned the new City Council to get ready for a rough ride this budget season.
Mayor Richard Alcombright said he sent the councilors an "oh, boy" email on the first pass of the governor's budget, which calls for no increase in unrestricted local aid.
"Unless something changes, we are going to be in a situation that none of us want to be in," Alcombright told the council on Tuesday night. "[State aid] is the life blood of the city and has been for years."
The city was getting 53 percent of its funding from the state in 2008; postrecession, that's been cut to 42 percent. In actuality, the city is getting even less, because the level funding in recent years means a cut when costs of living are factored in.
"We were really hoping the governor, on the way out, considering the fact the state is sitting on $1.4 billion in reserves and that the fact that, from my understanding, state revenues are pacing 7-8 percent above anticipated ... ." said Alcombright. "It's very, very discouraging for the city of North Adams to see the aid number that weren't proposed.."
Gov. Deval Patrick's fiscal 2015 spending plan does include about $100 million more in Chapter 70 school funding but that translates to about $38,000 for North Adams. At the same time, the minimum school spending is going to go up $240,000.
The mayor predicted the city could be in the same position as last year and looking at $750,000 to $1 million deficit.
He said he has been in contact with the city's state delegation and urged the councilors to contact them as well. House Speaker Robert DeLeo told the Massachusetts Municipal Association this past weekend that he would "do better" for municipal aid in the House budget.
The council approved an amendment to the new Rules of Order passed on Jan. 7 for the council's two-year term.
Rule No. 8 had called for all documents and agenda items to submitted to the city clerk by noon on the Wednesday prior to the regular Tuesday council meeting. The council voted to return to the deadline to Thursday at noon.
The push for submissions a day earlier had come in response to some of the new councilors requesting their agenda packets earlier to give them more time to research any items they were unfamiliar with. The packets are put together by the city clerk and usually delivered by the police, usually between Thursday night and Friday.
The mayor, however, said the day earlier deadline made it more difficult to get the documentation together, particularly for more complicated material coming from multiple departments, such as budgets. He was also unawares the rules had changed.
"Many times it is difficult for the administration to prepare the documentation," he said, noting last week's Monday holiday further complicated the issue. "Wednesday noon just doesn't cut it. ... but at the end of the day, I will live by what you decide."
Councilors Jennifer Breen and Wayne Wilkinson thought delivery of the packets by the police wasn't an efficient use of officers, with Breen endorsing digital delivery. Councilor Nancy Bullett said she preferred getting the paper product because it was easier to read: "I have not had a problem with the system the way it was."
Councilor Eric Buddington said getting the packets on Friday didn't leave much time for research because city employees weren't available on the weekends. Councilor Joshua Moran also said the weekend was too short a time for preparing for the agenda.
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However, Council President Lisa Blackmer, at the outset of the discussion, said, "I would like to remind the councilors it is your right and your duty to do your own research."
Councilor Keith Bona said it was rare that a very important issue was brought to the council on short notice for a vote. "If it's the first time, it's going to go to committee and be discussed," he said, leaving more time to prepare for a final vote. "I'm OK with the later date."
The council voted 8-1, with Buddington the lone no vote, to change the submission date. Blackmer, however, warned the mayor to stick to the deadline.
Resident Mark Trottier objected to the entire discussion, saying the agenda item had not been properly posted and questioning the institution of the Rules of Order. Blackmer responded that the rules are developed at the beginning of each term by the council president and are not part of the charter.
Trottier, however, protested that the rules should at least be online so citizens can determine what they are and what is being discussed.
Buddington said he would like to hear from citizens about what they would want to find on the city's website.
In other business:
• The mayor and several councilors evinced support for the Black Bears pro hockey team hoping to set up in the city.
"There was as you know a very discouraging article in the Berkshire Eagle about the Bears, basically giving every reason why it won't succeed," said the mayor. "... It was very discouraging. I look at this as an opportunity for the city to have winter semi-professional hockey, bringing in the same type of entertainment as the SteepleCats do in the summer."
The team is still in talks for the use of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink with the city and the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, which owns the facility. The team would require locker rooms and showers, among other needs.
"It's not a done deal but we are very supportive of it," said the mayor.
• The council approved the appropriation of $49,860.75 from the Parking Meter Reserve Account to pay the second year of a three-year lease on three police cars and the fire chief vehicle. The city will buy them the vehicles for a $1 each at the end of the three-year term.
The mayor said the appropriation would leave about $30,000 in the account. "We are anticipating it will replenish itself to $60,000 by fiscal year's end," said the mayor
• The council appointed local business owner Jay Walsh to the Planning Board at the mayor's recommendation to fill the seat vacated by now City Counilor Wayne Wilkinson. Walsh's term will expire on Feb. 1, 2016. Wilkinson, who spent 22 years on the board, said Walsh was an "excellent choice."
• The council approved the licenses of Dominic Mondia Jr., of East Quincy Street, and Jonathan Miner, of State Street, to drive taxis for Tunnel City Taxi.
Tags: city budget, city council, fiscal 2015, hockey, municipal finances,
