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From
The Desk of Methuen Mayor Bill Manzi
As I approach one year in office as
Methuens Mayor I would like to take this
opportunity to discuss our achievements as a community
and our goals moving forward. During the course of the
past mayoral campaign many critical issues were
discussed, and we are taking the steps necessary to
implement a positive agenda for our citizens. Lets look
at some of the critical areas.
Our educational system: The consensus view during the
campaign was that Methuen needed to immediately address
the issues at our High School. We have moved
expeditiously on that front, submitting a Statement of
Interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority
that places us in the system for a major renovation to
our High School. With the moratorium on School Building
Assistance scheduled to be lifted in July of 2007 we are
poised to make the case to the State for Methuens
inclusion in the first round of funding. SBA Executive
Director Katherine Craven has visited Methuen High School
and hosted a Methuen delegation in Boston. We have also
had State Treasurer Tim Cahill to Methuen and made our
case directly to him. We will continue to make this a
priority for Methuen. Methuens Statement of
Interest is posted online at www.ci.methuen.ma.us
Methuens new Superintendent Jeanne Whitten has been
faced with some class size numbers that were less than
desirable. She acted quickly to address these concerns by
adding staff to insure that our class sizes are conducive
to a positive learning environment. She has also created
a citizen committee to deal with this issue on a
longer-term basis.
One of the issues most talked about has been out of
district students attending Methuen Public Schools. Our
new Superintendent and the School Committee have made
this a priority and strong measures have been taken to
identify and remove those attending our public schools
improperly. We have taken the first steps and will
continue to work diligently in this area. I have pledged
to the Superintendent that where needed city resources
will be given to aid the schools in this effort.
Veterans Services: Part of our core responsibility in
government is to provide critically needed services to
our Veterans community. In that regard we have acted
quickly to improve those services. I have re-located the
Veterans Service Office to our first floor at the Searles
Building, providing substantially easier access for our
veterans. I have requested, and Methuens City
Council has generously agreed, to create some clerical
assistance for our Veterans Service Agent Ed Curran. Mr.
Curran has been handling a substantially increased
caseload without the benefit of such assistance. Our
Veterans will be the beneficiaries of this improved
ability to deliver the services that they need. I thank
the City Council for their willingness to agree to such
an important improvement.
Planning: When I took office our Planning Department was
in transition, with a part time director and key
vacancies. Additionally the management structure was
disjointed, and honestly needed overhaul. We submitted to
the City Council a re-organization of that Department,
creating one full time Economic Development Director,
eliminating a Department Head position, and re-organizing
the support staff to insure that land use and Economic
Development work together to produce the best results for
Methuen. Our goal has been to integrate our permitting,
so that business looking to come to Methuen can deal with
one person. I was fortunate to have hired Karen Sawyer
Faust as Methuens new Economic Development
Director. For any land use or business questions please
email Karen at ksfaust@ci.methuen.ma.us .
Business: In addition to re-organizing planning to create
a one stop shop for business I have created by Executive
Order a Mayoral Commission on Business regulation. This
Commission, chaired by Councilor Joseph Leone, has been
tasked with examining our regulatory burden and finding
ways to reduce or eliminate duplication or needless
regulation. Additionally this Commission will examine the
ways in which citizens interact with government, and seek
ways to reduce expense and paperwork for our citizens.
The use of Information Technology will be a key component
in that effort. In line with that the City has produced a
brand new website that is a big improvement over the
prior version. It is accessible and contains some
interactivity that we will build on in the future to
create additional opportunities for citizens to get
information and do business with the City over the
Internet. This new website was created in house without
the hiring of a consultant. My thanks to King Lough and
John Molori, who worked very hard to produce the new site
in addition to all of their other duties.
Recreational Opportunities: Methuen provides terrific
recreational opportunities for our kids. These
opportunities are the result of the hard work put in by
all of our youth groups, and the partnership with the
City. In an effort to foster greater communication
between the Youth Groups and city government I have, by
Executive Order, created the Mayoral Commission on Youth
Sports. The Commission consists of every major youth
organization in Methuen, and is charged with fostering
better communication amongst themselves and the City.
Methuens Recreation Director Bill Pare has been
instrumental in making this a success.
I would also like to thank Fred Corey, the President of
Methuen Youth Soccer, who has generously agreed to chair
this group and was instrumental in its creation. Methuen
is also blessed to own the so-called former Beas
site, and has received a state grant of $250,000 to make
improvements to the site. It is one of the parcels we
talked about improving during the campaign. As part of
our Master Planning process I have appointed a Committee
chaired by City Councilor Deborah Quinn to study and
recommend what improvements should be made on the site.
Councilor Quinns Committee is continuing to meet,
and will likely soon issue recommendations. Please drop
Councilor Quinn a line at drquinn@ci.methuen.ma.us if you have any comments
or suggestions.
Fire Department: With new Chief Clifford Gallant on board
I have recommended, and the City Council adopted,
management changes to our Department that will make the
Department easier to manage and more reflective of
standard management practices. I am grateful to Chief
Gallant and the Fire Union for working together to
produce change to help modernize our management
structure.
Finances: Despite an operating deficit inherited we have
managed to steady our financial house and make steady
strides forward. Our free cash position has just been
certified at about 2.3 million dollars, and the budget
cycle we are in dramatically reduced the use of one-time
revenues. Our bond rating remains strong, and the citys
financial position has continued to improve. We remain
millions below the Prop 2 ½ Levy limit, with strong
business growth. With continued fiscal discipline and a
positive business climate I believe we can manage these
difficult financial times without the need for large tax
increases.
It has been a busy year, and one that I have truly
enjoyed. I look forward to continuing on a positive and
upbeat political path. I have had a truly great working
relationship with this City Council. My thanks to
Chairman Zanni and the entire City Council for working
positively to bring a great number of initiatives to
fruition. I look forward to another great year in 2007.
Please call or drop me a line at wmmanzi@ci.methuen.ma.us
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The November, 2006
Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2006, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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