METHUEN — Two at-large City Council hopefuls said it would be problematic if former police Chief Joseph Solomon is reinstated, while the other two candidates didn't directly answer the question at a forum last night.
"I don't think it would be a good thing," said incumbent Stephen Zanni, when asked during the Methuen Community Television candidates forum what the city should do if Solomon gets his job back.
"I don't think it would be a good thing, either," said challenger Joyce Campagnone. "This whole issue has taken a toll on our Police Department."
Campagnone said Solomon's replacement, Chief Katherine Lavigne, has "brought the department forward."
"I think it's time for our community to move forward," Campagnone added.
Mayor William Manzi fired Solomon in May 2008 for a number of alleged wrongdoings, including mismanaging federal grant money. Solomon appealed to the Civil Service Commission for reinstatement.
The other at-large challenger, Kathleen Corey Rahme, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor against Manzi two years ago, called the Solomon case a "moot point at this time" because the decision of whether to overturn his firing is in the commission's hands.
"Whatever the outcome is, it is what it is," she said.
The other incumbent, Jennifer Kannan, said the city will "cross that bridge" when the decision is made.
While the candidates disagreed frequently, they were non-confrontational. The four are vying for three at-large seats on the nine-member council in the Nov. 3 election. Rahme and Campagnone are former councilors. The third incumbent, Kenneth Willette Jr., is running for the School Committee.
All the candidates agreed that residents shouldn't be charged fees for such programs as trash pickup, school bus transportation and school sports.
Zanni and Kannan said they support building a park and boat ramp at the old Bea's Sandwich Shop site on the Merrimack River, while Rahme said she thinks the city should leave the spot for passive recreation.
Campagnone said she was concerned about who would be liable for the site.
Zanni said he doesn't know if the city will have to adopt a property tax override to help pay for the renovation of Methuen High School, which is slated to cost up to $90 million. But if the project does require an override, Zanni said he will fight to convince voters to approve it.
Rahme said renovating the high school is critical to preserving property values.
"If we lose accreditation at the high school, it would be a huge loss to all of us," she said.
The mayor can spend up to $50,000 without requiring City Council approval. Zanni, Kannan and Campagnone agreed that keeping this discretionary spending limit at $50,000 is adequate, while Rahme said it should be lowered.
But Rahme didn't articulate how much it should be lowered.
On quality-of-life matters, Kannan suggested councilors establish an ordinance to deter loitering around 55-and-older communities.
"The seniors in this town need to feel safe," she said.
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