LAWRENCE — With eight of their colleagues facing layoffs, firefighters used the sidewalk outside City Hall last night for an informational picket.
As ballots were being counted inside, about 50 firefighters chanted, "Bring our firefighters back. Keep our city safe."
"We're hoping to get some attention from the new mayor ... to see how committed we are to the city and public safety," said Patrick Driscoll, president of the Lawrence firefighters union.
The city did receive $520,000 in federal stimulus money to prevent the layoffs.
However, eight firefighters slated for layoffs last summer ended up receiving full pay for 11 weeks while the matter was appealed to a hearing officer. Mayor Michael Sullivan has yet to decide if he'll lay off the firefighters now, which could mean forgoing the $520,000 in stimulus money.
"This makes no sense," said Jim Cuticchia, an Andover firefighter and vice president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts. Cuticchia and Driscoll led the firefighters in last night's informational picket.
"We are hoping the mayor is going to do the right thing," Cuticchia said. "It seems a shame to turn back $520,000. It's not going to solve the problem forever, but it's a start."
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