METHUEN — Five City Council candidates discussed everything from the budget crisis to marijuana smoking fines and a boat ramp during last night's West District forum.
The forum for the five people running for the two West District council seats was the first event of the campaign season in Methuen where candidates had the opportunity to square off before a public audience.
The forum at Methuen Community Television lasted about an hour and half. The MCTV staff plans to air it tomorrow at a time to be determined.
Incumbent Deborah Quinn, the council's chairwoman, went on the offensive, accusing rival Jack Burke of wanting "no new high school, no new infrastructure" and disagreeing with another candidate, Jim Hajjar, multiple times.
Moderator Seth Graham asked the questions and the candidates took turns answering them. When Graham asked what infrastructure they are concerned about in the district, candidate Ed Guy said the city should halt plans to build a park and boat ramp at the old Bea's Sandwich Shop site on Riverside Drive.
"What's the bang for the buck? There is none," Guy said. "It's a waste of time. It's a waste of money."
Incumbent Jeanne Pappalardo agreed with Guy.
She voted against using $250,000 in state money to build the park and boat ramp in the vacant lot along the Merrimack River.
Pappalardo and Guy said the city should sell the property.
Quinn disagreed.
"That is a gateway to the river for Methuen," she said.
Hajjar said city councilors spend too much time at their meetings dealing with unimportant matters, such as approving a $100 fine for smoking marijuana in public back in February.
"We have a fiscal crisis on our hands," Hajjar said.
Quinn responded by saying the marijuana smoking fine isn't frivolous.
"Do you want your parks, schools and lake safe?" she asked.
When asked how they would maintain city services despite more budget cuts, Pappalardo commended city employees who took 10 percent pay cuts to prevent layoffs this year and said the city needs to further curtail spending.
"I guess you could say I'm pretty stingy, maybe," Pappalardo said.
Hajjar said the city needs to shrink government "to be back within what we can afford."
"You need to go out and tell the customers there's some products and services we're just not going to be able to provide anymore," he said.
Quinn disagreed.
"I think the constituents are looking for the services that are there," she said.
Quinn, as well as Guy, said officials could consolidate the municipal government with the School Department to save money.
Guy also said the Fire, Police and Public Works Departments could consolidate spending.
All candidates said they support the state's plans to spend $110 million to eliminate the Route 110/113 rotary.
Candidates said the state should build a wall to block the noise created by traffic from bothering residents of nearby Noyes Street.
"I think they need a barrier while they're doing construction," Burke said.
Voters will head to the polls Sept. 15 for the preliminary election, and only four of the five candidates will move on to the Nov. 3 election.
To find out when the forum will air, check MCTV's schedule at www.methuentv.org.
ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ
Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.
