Eagle-Tribune Blogs: Heard in Beverly

Bits and pieces from last night’s joint meeting of the School Committee and City Council at the North Beverly School:
– Some people continued to express frustration that the superintendent’s proposed closing of the Cove and McKeown schools came so late and feels rushed. People appreciated the efforts of the volunteer ad-hoc committee that recommended the closing plan after reviewing alternatives, but some wished there was more time for more people to explore alternatives. The nine-member ad-hoc committee made its recommendation after meeting four times in six days.
Proponents of a Proposition 2 1/2 override say the override would keep the schools as they are for a year and give everyone more time to explore options.
– Mayor Scanlon was asked if the money from a Proposition 2 1/2 override, if it passes on June 3, would continue to go to the schools every year, not just this year.
“If approved, I would endeavor to give it to the schools on an ongoing basis,” he said.
– In an answer to a question, Scanlon reiterated that an override, if it passes, would be “forever,” not just for one year. If the tax increase is $150 for a particular homeowner, for example, the homeowner would pay that $150 every year.
– Scanlon was also asked if any cuts can be made on the city side of the budget to help close the $2.6 million school budget shortfall.
“If we were talking $50,000 to $100,000, we might be able to do something,” he said.
With the equivalent of 660 full-time employees in the schools, “It’s just more than we can afford,” Scanlon said.
– There was disagreement over whether the City Council has the right to increase the budget submitted by the mayor, but both sides agreed the issue was “moot” anyway because the council would have to find $2.6 million worth of cuts somewhere other than the schools in order to balance the budget, and that would not be possible. State law requires a balanced budget.
That discussion did produce some fireworks, however. When Assisitant City Solicitor Robert Munroe stated his opinion that the City Council could not increase the budget, Councilor-At-Large Patricia Grimes called Munroe “the mayor’s lawyer” and said the solicitor’s office has a history of making decisions that give the mayor more power.
“I take offense that she calls me ‘the mayor’s lawyer,’” Munroe said. He said he represents the entire city, including the City Council, not just the mayor.
“It was absolutely, positively wrong and unnecessary to state,” he said.
Grimes said she apologized if Munroe was offended, but did not back down from her contention that the solicitor’s office has favored Scanlon.
– City Council President Tim Flaherty gave an update on the work of the committee that is exploring consolidation of some school and city functions, such as finance and business and building and grounds. No decisions have been made yet. School Committee member Paul Manzo, who’s on the consolidation committee, said any savings from consolidation would not be “enormous.”

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