METHUEN — Several City Council candidates said last night voters will have to approve a tax hike if the city is going to afford its share of a high school renovation.
"The money tree is empty," said Central District Councilor Philip Lahey Jr., who is running for re-election.
Candidates for the East, Central and West District seats on the council answered questions at a forum at Methuen Community Television. The forum was taped and broken into three shows — one for each district — that will start airing today. The election is Nov. 3.
Candidates took questions from hosts Jamie Atkinson, Ray Pilat and Jim Hayden. One candidate, East District Councilor Larry Giordano, missed the forum. Giordano said during an interview later that he was teaching a karate class and he mistakenly marked in his calendar that the forum was tonight.
Some candidates said voters are unlikely to approve an override or debt exclusion that will raise property taxes.
"We have to learn to live with what we have now until the economy turns around," said David Lavallee, a political novice who hopes to unseat one of the two Central District councilors.
East District Councilor Joseph Leone said the cost estimate of "up to $90 million" for the high school project is "ridiculous."
"I think it's going to be closer to $60 million or $70 million," he said.
The state is slated to foot more than 60 percent of the bill. Central District Councilor John Cronin Jr., who is also running for re-election, said the high school is the most pressing need in his district.
The economy was a theme that came up throughout the night, and councilors talked about consolidating city and school functions and purchases of supplies to save money.
Candidates were asked how the city can ensure that it hires the best people, given the state Civil Service Commission's recent order saying the Methuen "flouted" state law when compiling a list of reserve police officers — a list that future cops will be hired from.
Mayor William Manzi chose relatives of police Chief Katherine Lavigne, a police captain and politicians instead of higher-ranked candidates, including veterans, as reserve officers, according to past interviews and public records reviews.
"Stick to the (Civil Service) list. We should take the top test scorers who are willing to take the job," Leone said.
Leone's opponent, Patricia Uliano, who served on the council from 2000 to 2005, agreed.
"You're asking for a problem that is only going to escalate," she said.
"First and foremost, a veteran comes before anybody," said West District Councilor Jeanne Pappalardo, who is running for re-election.
Most candidates said they support creating a commission to review the city charter, a question voters will answer on Nov. 3. Pappalardo said city councilors should have to approve any contract worth $25,000 or more. The council currently only has to approve contracts worth $50,000 or more, so the mayor doesn't need their authority to approve contracts under $50,000.
West District candidate Ed Guy Jr. said the threshold should be reduced to $20,000, and James Hajjar, also a West District candidate, suggested $10,000.
A topic that West District candidates discussed was the plans to build a boat ramp and park along the Merrimack River at the old Bea's Sandwich Shop site at the corner of Riverside Drive and Lowell Street. The city owns the property and plans to use a $250,000 grant from the state to build the park. The only candidate to support the plan was Quinn.
"Lets continue the fight to keep open space," Quinn said.
"That's just a waste of money," said Guy, who suggested selling the property and giving the grant back to the state.
Other highlights included Central District candidate Fadi Chahine saying the city should bring farmers markets and festivals to Methuen Square, the majority of candidates saying they oppose raising local restaurant and hotel taxes and Lavallee saying during his opening statement that he wouldn't agree with his opponents and then proceeding to agree with them throughout the forum.
Air times for Methuen Community Television forums
Central District: today at 8:30 p.m.; tomorrow at 11 a.m.
East District: Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Monday at 9 a.m.
West District: Friday at 8 p.m., Monday at 9:30 a.m.
