LAWRENCE - Mayor William Lantigua fired three city department heads yesterday less than 24 hours after he was sworn into office.
Those served with letters of "involuntary termination" were Inspectional Services Commissioner Myles Burke, Recreation Director Linda Schiavone and Planning Director Michael Sweeney. Together, their salaries equal approximately $250,000 and Lantigua said he was letting them go because "we need like-minded people on our team."
"My department heads and policy makers must advise us, work with us and speak for us in such ways that adequately reflect our views, mission and vision - not those of contrary purpose," wrote Lantigua in the termination letters. He added Burke, Schiavone and Sweeney do "not fall into that category."
All three can appeal their terminations to the City Council. Affirmative votes are needed from six of nine councilors to uphold the terminations. To keep their jobs, they must have four council votes on their side.
Councilors are expected vote on the terminations at their next meeting on Jan. 20. In the meantime, Burke, Schiavone and Sweeney will be on paid administrative leave.
Lantigua, who is also a state representative, was sworn into office Monday night. He succeeds Mayor Michael Sullivan, who served two, four-year terms.
Schiavone, who worked for the city for 39 years, said she was completely taken aback when she was served the termination notice yesterday.
"I don't feel I deserve this ... I do everything that's expected of me," said Schiavone, noting she worked for nine city mayors and never overspent her budget. She planned to retire in the next two years.
Sweeney said he was "very disappointed."
"I was eagerly looking forward to working with Mayor Lantigua. I want nothing but the best for Mayor Lantigua because if he is successful that means the city of Lawrence is succeeding," he said.
"I am sure he'll do a good job and I'm still hoping to be part of that administration," Sweeney added.
Burke, Sullivan's childhood friend and former chief of staff, could not be reached for comment.
Lantigua does not plan to replace either Burke or Schiavone and will instead fold both jobs under the duties of the Department of Public Works, said Leonard Degnan, Lantigua's chief of staff.
The planning position will be posted and a replacement for Sweeney rehired, however, he said.
Sweeney was a visible supporter of former Mayor Michael Sullivan. However, Degnan said it was felt Sweeney had "fundamental differences" with the new administration and would not be a good fit.
"We don't think we can work with him," he said.
The firings ended a tense first day at City Hall with many workers admitting they spent the day on edge. While terminations were expected, speculation swirled over who would be getting a pink slip.
The termination notices were delivered to the three department heads between 4 and 5 p.m. City attorney Richard D'Agostino, accompanied by Frank Bonet, the new personnel director, and a police officer hand-delivered the paperwork.
In addition to personnel moves, there were also some tangible changes yesterday at City Hall.
On the mayor's office door, Michael Sullivan's name was removed and William Lantigua's moniker was painted on. Building permits were also posted outside the third-floor office and workers starting ripping down a non-bearing wall in the mayor's office. The wall was removed in the office to streamline space for Maria Cruz, Lantigua's administrative assistant, and Degnan.
Lantigua yesterday met with both police Chief John Romero and acting fire Chief Brian Murphy. The meetings largely focused on the budget issues, Degnan said.
The new mayor also sat down with state Sen. Susan Tucker and state Representatives David Torrisi and Barry Finegold to review legislation Gov. Deval Patrick filed on the city's behalf. The legislation would allow the city to borrow up to $35 million to balance the city's budget in the future. Lawrence currently has a $17.5 million budget deficit.
Lantigua also met privately with three city councilors at a time to review the pending legislation last night. Meeting in small groups allows the new mayor to circumvent the provisions of the state's open meeting law, which requires meetings of city and town officials to be posted 48 hours in advance and open to the public.
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