EagleTribune.com, North Andover, MA
Merrimack Valley
Councilors vow to save fire stations from closure
Published: June 30, 2009
LAWRENCE — City councilors vow they won't balance the budget by closing two firehouses in the Tower and Prospect hill neighborhoods or elsewhere in the city.
"This budget is a danger to public safety in this city," said Patrick Blanchette, city council president, who last night asked fellow councilors to reject the proposed $80 million municipal budget.
The budget is supposed to be approved at the local level and sent to the state by July 1.
Councilor Nilka Alvarez-Rodriguez joined Blanchette in "solidarity," saying she was "strongly and definitely" opposed to the stations closing to help offset a $1.6 million shortfall in fire department spending.
Also, 14 firefighter layoffs are planned as the city expects a $7 million to $10 million drop in state aid next year.
Other municipal workers, including police, have agreed to 12 unpaid furlough days and other concessions for the next fiscal year beginning tomorrow. However, current fire department staffing levels are already so low, furloughs are impossible there, Fire Chief Peter Takvorian said.
"I don't see myself voting for this budget unless we resolve this," said Alvarez Rodriguez, referring to the Tower and Prospect Hill firehouses, two of city fire stations on the cutting block.
After three hours of debate, a majority of councilors agreed to table the budget discussion until 7 tonight.
Councilor David Abdoo suggested postponing the discussion 24 hours, in the hopes an alternative to the fire house closings can be found.
"Worse case scenario, we are right back here tomorrow night and we can reject this budget at that time," Abdoo said.
As a precaution, Mark Andrews, budget and finance director, was urged to draft a 30-day emergency budget, which, if needed, could cost the city millions of dollars it doesn't have.
But Andrews, after conferring with Takvorian, said he believes collapsing two fire department accounts and possibly eliminating stipends given to some municipal employees could save the firehouses.
"We will work with the chief to keep these firehouses open," he said.
This spring, the city's six firehouses have been closed on a revolving basis, which has saved $15,000 weekly. Councilor Grisel Silva, budget and finance chairman, suggested continuing that practice, which could save more than $700,000.
Last night's meeting started with a public hearing, during which 11 city employees and residents spoke.
Resident Fausto Nunez urged the councilors to save the firehouses. Without firefighters at those locations "for sure there will be deaths," he said.
