METHUEN — Mayor William Manzi says that either every city employee takes a 10 percent pay cut and gives up longevity benefits for a year, or 40 to 45 workers will be laid off.
Manzi is releasing his fiscal year 2010 budget proposal today. The budget needs City Council approval by July 1 — the first day of fiscal year 2010. Feeling the effects of the global recession, Manzi budgeted $4.3 million less than last year's budget, and his proposal includes the layoffs.
City Departments will be given 15 percent less than they were given at the start of fiscal year 2009, Manzi said during an interview.
Manzi is negotiating new contracts with the nine municipal employment unions, and he's trying to get them to agree to the 10 percent pay cut and longevity freeze, he said.
If they don't take his offer, 15 firefighters will be laid off and five firefighter positions will be left vacant due to attrition. Nine police patrol officers will be laid off and nine superior officers will have their ranks rolled back, Manzi said.
But if the unions agree to the pay cuts, the layoffs won't happen, he said.
"I know it's not easy," he said.
Manzi himself will take a 10 percent wage cut, which amounts to $8,000, he said.
Manzi said his budget will not raise taxes.
Please see tomorrow's Eagle-Tribune for full coverage.
