Oakland Avenue School

Posted on June 8, 2007 by billmanzi

I have agreed (with City Council assent) to renew the lease at the Oakland Avenue School for the Islamic Academy that had an existing lease on the building. The site contains the school, a mosque, and a playground area that remains under City control, with no restrictions on usage. The Academy, which has acted as a great neighbor, was going to be required to make large capital investments in the school to keep it going. This lease extension gives them the security they need to make those large financial investments. The City Council vote was unanimous, and I certainly would say that if “getting it” means exhibiting bias and prejudice against our own citizens then I most certainly don’t “get it”.

Posted in Methuen | 6 Comments

Methuen’s FY2008 Budget

Posted on June 7, 2007 by billmanzi

I have posted the 2008 budget submission online. This budget is an extremely difficult one, with all general government departments being forced to accept a de facto cut. I have allocated last years budget numbers to the departments, with no increase for the negotiated salary increases. The necessity for this is brought on by fixed cost increases, increases in education funding and transportation, with no corresponding increase in state (non-school) aid. I will talk about this in greater detail and post my budget message to the City Council in the next day or so. Link to the budget here.

Posted in Municipal Finance | 4 Comments

Fifth Congessional AFL-CIO Debate

Posted on June 5, 2007 by billmanzi

The Fifth Congressional District Democratic candidates had a labor-sponsored debate on Monday June 4th. Lynne from Left in Lowell has provided excellent debate coverage. Link to her blog coverage here. There were some interesting exchanges. Comments anyone?

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Methuen’s FY2008 Budget

Posted on June 1, 2007 by billmanzi

I will be submitting the FY2008 budget to the City Council on Monday. Tuesday!This will be an exceedingly difficult budget, with Methuen facing the same fiscal pressures as most other cities and towns in Massachusetts. I will post the entire budget here, as well as talking about the larger issues facing cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. ( Do you have an opinion on Governor Patrick’s Municipal Patnership Act)?

Posted in Municipal Finance | 4 Comments

Council Agenda June 4

Posted on June 1, 2007 by billmanzi

Methuen City Council Agenda is posted for June 4. Link to it here.

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Methuen Budget Workshops Schedule Posted

Posted on May 31, 2007 by billmanzi

The Methuen City Council has set the FY2008 Budget Workshop schedule. You can link to it here.

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Re-Election Kickoff

Posted on May 31, 2007 by billmanzi

Please join me as I formally announce my re-election plans on Tuesday June 12 at 7:00 p.m at the Guesthouse Suites 159 Pelham Street in Methuen. I look forward to running an energetic campaign centered around the issues important to Methuen families. I will post as much as I can on the things I have been working on and the issues raised during the campaign. I look forward to seeing you on the 12th.

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Fifth Congressional Debate

Posted on May 24, 2007 by billmanzi

A debate amongst the Fifth Congressional Democratic candidates occurred last night in Chelmsford. It was sponsored by The Citizens for Civic Courage, the Chelmsford Democratic Town Committee, Greater Lowell Area Democrats, and the Third Middlesex Democrats. The focus was on foreign policy, with a heavy accent on the Iraq War, Afghanistan, and the war on terror. I was not able to attend, but the debate apparently drew a good crowd. Some excellent posts from attendees are already up at Richard Howe’s blog as well as from Lynne at Left in Lowell. For a more detailed look at the Democratic candidates positions on the war the Lowell Sun has posted an excellent article detailing the candidates positions. Essentially Eldridge and Donoghue favor immediate withdrawal, Tsongas favors a longer timetable for withdrawal (with an American contingent left for counter-terrorism), Finegold is against immediate withdrawal and for a de facto partition (Biden Plan), and Micelli supports the Bush administration. Much more was discussed, including the way we treat our returning vets, the wider war on terror, Iran and Afghanistan. The next debate is scheduled to be on health care, and we will keep you posted. Congrats to Sam Poulten and everyone involved in organizing the debate.

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Contractual Authority

Posted on May 22, 2007 by billmanzi

Methuen’s City Council voted down an attempt to restrict Mayoral contractual authority at last night’s (May 21) City Council meeting. The legislation was defeated on a 6-3 vote. The attempt to lower the authority to $25,000 from $50,000 has been a political football over the years, with the City Council restricting Mayor DiZoglio to an authority of $10,000 after a dispute on some purchasing. City Council then raised the authority back to $50,000 during the Pollard Administration. As a City Councilor I supported the higher amount, and now as Mayor I continue to support the $50,000 limit. As an administrator I appreciate the ability to move on items without having to wait for a City Council meeting for approval, especially in light of the fact that contractual spending is contained within City Council approved budgetary limits. I guess the political season is upon us!

Posted in Methuen City Council | 1 Comment

Meehan’s Send off letter

Posted on May 18, 2007 by billmanzi

Marty Meehan’s farewell letter to his District was sent using his Congressional franking privelege, costing taxpayers about $40,000. It has drawn a critical article in the Boston Herald. Here is the herald link.

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