Category Archives: Municipal Finance

A Jobs Killer

Posted on July 12, 2009 by billmanzi

The announcement of the pending relocation of the Haverhill Jackson Lumber operation to New Hampshire may be the first tangible sign of the type of impact that the sales tax increase will have on the Merrimack Valley. Jackson Lumber owner … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment

School Budget Passed by School Committee

Posted on July 1, 2009 by billmanzi

The Methuen School Committee passed their budget on Monday night, and we were able to bring back the two band positions that will allow us to continue the level of instruction that we give today. It was a difficult budget, … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Municipal Budget Passed

Posted on June 28, 2009 by billmanzi

Yesterday the City Council met in Saturday session to vote a municipal budget, which was approved unanimously. I will post the full budget here tommorow, and talk a little bit more on some of the specifics. The School budget was … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Accord Reached with Patrolman

Posted on June 26, 2009 by billmanzi

I am happy to be able to announce that I have reached a tentative accord with Methuen’s Patrolman’s Union that will avert the twenty layoffs that had been scheduled to occur with the adoption of the FY2010 Municipal budget. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Methuen City Council, Municipal Finance | Tagged | 5 Comments

Methuen’s Budget

Posted on June 24, 2009 by billmanzi

City Council met last night to adopt the Municipal budget, and got through a couple of sections before recessing until Saturday morning at 9 a.m. I have not posted on the municipal budget because of the changing nature of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Health Care Deal in Methuen

Posted on June 10, 2009 by billmanzi

I am very pleased to announce a health care deal in Methuen between the City and the Coalition representing the municipal unions on health care. This health care agreement will save Methuen taxpayers $1.2 million dollars in FY 2010. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Sales Tax Revisited

Posted on June 7, 2009 by billmanzi

Today’s Herald had a story about what a boon the sales tax increase would be to New Hampshire. As the Mayor of a border community the Herald asked me my thoughts, which remain the same. The increase is a jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged | 1 Comment

The Obama Message on Health Care

Posted on June 6, 2009 by billmanzi

This week President Obama talks health care in his weekly message. The President has spoken about health care before, but it has never been more important. Without cost containment in health care the entire economy is in danger, in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Municipal Finance, National News, State News | Tagged | 3 Comments

Methuen’s Budget and Private Fireworks Donations

Posted on May 29, 2009 by billmanzi

With all of the talk about budget cuts possibly impacting our annual fireworks display I was pleasantly suprised to receive a check for $1000 from Wal-mart in Methuen as I attended their grand re-opening. That check was the first of … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance | Tagged , | 9 Comments

Municipal Relief Commission Takes a Pass

Posted on May 12, 2009 by billmanzi

The so called Municipal Relief Commission has issued its report, and after nine months or so of work it has managed, in the area of health care, to actually recommend a system that will take us backwards from the point … Continue reading →

Posted in Methuen, Municipal Finance, State News | Tagged , | 1 Comment