'Imminent' Methuen budget cuts spark talk of consolidation

By J.J. Huggins
jhuggins@eagletribune.com

November 17, 2008 03:16 am

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METHUEN — City officials plan to enlist business professionals to help them find ways to consolidate job functions.

The City Council is poised to vote tonight on whether to give Mayor William Manzi authority to appoint a five- to seven-member committee of volunteers to look at whether some city and School Department jobs can be consolidated.

"It isn't a question of if we do this, it's a question of when," said Councilor Joseph Leone, who proposed the committee.

Budget cuts are "imminent," he said.

"You either save money by laying off people or you save money by cutting waste. Consolidation saves waste," he said.

The committee would be made up of "impartial" and "objective" people, Leone said.

The consolidation could include information technology jobs, building and grounds maintenance, and accounting and legal services. The city and School Department have already consolidated the human resources function, and the committee can look to see how well that has worked, Leone said.

Consolidation has been a sensitive subject among Methuen politicians. Leone sparred with School Committee member Robert Vogler about the subject of consolidating city and school business functions. But Vogler has changed his mind somewhat.

"I am willing to look at anything to save money for the citizens of this town and run an effective school system," he said.

Vogler noted the School Department pays consultant Frank Colvario $100 an hour to work 20 to 25 hours per week to serve as an interim business official. The department started doing that following the resignation of full-time School Business Administrator Joseph Salvo on Jan. 15.

"Maybe a part-time business manager is all we need," Vogler said.

Superintendent Jeanne Whitten has said that although Colvario is paid for 20 to 25 hours per week, he often works nearly 40 hours.

If the council votes in favor of creating the consolidation study committee, the mayor will have the power to appoint its members. The panel would then have months to do research and report back to the mayor, who would then report findings to the School Committee and City Council.