On Friday, November 28, City Councilor Lenny Gentile (Ward 4) filed a late docket item asking Mayor-elect Marc Laredo to explain how his planned increase in Mayoral Office staff from 7 to 9 will fit within the current fiscal-year budget. The docket item also asked the Mayor-elect to submit a reorganization plan for the City Council to review and approve.
This last item in the docket notes that the current budget has room for seven full-time equivalent staff and says that the addition of two more will “create a shortfall in the Executive Department budget of at least $100,000 over the second half of the fiscal year.”
Because this docket item was filed after the docket deadline for the City Council meeting on December 1, the item was accepted for consideration by the Council by a voice vote at the meeting. Councilor Gentile — who is retiring from the City Council on January 1, after 36 years on the Council and eight years on the School Committee — explained to Fig City News that he filed the item as soon as he could, even as a late item because he wants to see it addressed before he leaves office.
Mayor-elect Laredo said to Fig City News, “I am confident that everything we are proposing is proper and appropriate and we have the funds to fill these positions. He later issued a statement in which he:
- Thanked Councilor Gentile for years of service on the City Council and School Committee;
- Noted that all his personnel decisions are aimed at opportunities for improvement that were highlighted by residents during his campaigning, and the planned staffing of the Mayor’s Office “align[s] with the priorities our community wants to see reflected at City Hall.”
- Stated that “the new structure for the Mayor’s Office fits within this year’s existing budget” and that “the City’s Law Department … has confirmed that a formal reorganization plan is not required to implement the staffing additions;” and
- Said that, as Mayor, he will be “working collaboratively and transparently with the City Council [and]…to the extent needed, in January … will submit a request to the new City Council to transfer funds within the already approved budget.”
In its meeting on December 1, the City Council voted to accept the late-filed docket item and refer it to the Finance Committee, chaired by Councilor Gentile. The Finance Committee meeting took up the matter on December 8.
[UPDATE] Finance committee meeting
During the Finance Committee meeting, Gentile – in what will likely be his final docket item as Finance Committee chair – reiterated his concern about Laredo’s proposed executive office structure.
“It is my honest belief that there is no other city or town in the Commonwealth in better financial health,” he said. “At the crux of it all is fiscal discipline.”
Laredo opened by thanking Gentile for raising the issue and seeking clarity. He defended the restructuring as a financially responsible move, saying the added positions will save the City money by improving oversight and eliminating duplicated work across departments. He noted that he consulted with the Law Department, Human Resources, and Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux before making the staffing announcements.
“These appointments are not only important for the well-being of the City government, but are also fiscally sound,” he said, adding that several existing vacancies will remain unfilled to cover the cost of the new roles.
Laredo and Lemieux outlined how the new leadership structure would work on day one of his administration. Josh Morse, the current Public Buildings Commissioner, will become Chief Operating Officer, while John Rice will serve as Chief of Community Services in an acting capacity within Parks and Recreation. Dana Hanson will step into the new role of Chief of Staff.
Councilor Becky Grossman questioned whether certain vacancies – particularly a project manager role in Public Buildings – should remain unfilled, noting the workload associated with planning any future debt exclusion override.
Lemieux estimated the two new senior positions will cost roughly $365,000–$375,000 annually.
Laredo said the changes will also improve mentoring of new department heads. Lemieux will remain in the administration for an extra six months before she retires, so she can help guide her successor in the role for a smooth transition.
City Solicitor Ali Giuliani explained that under Newton’s charter, the mayor is permitted to establish positions within the Executive Office without the City Council’s approval as long as the changes do not require additional funding beyond what has already been appropriated.
“Under the [City’s] charter, a mayor is authorized to establish positions within the executive office,” she said.
Lemieux expects to meet with the City Council in January to request its approval to transfer funds between departments or between major budget categories.
Lemieux said the administration will present a complete set of numbers, salary lines, and required transfers at the Council’s first meeting of the new term.
Grossman noted that at other times when there has been financial stress, that has prevented funding for other programs such as the school budget. Upon review again in the future, she said, constituents and other City employees might worry that priority may be placed on this over other elements.
Grossman also emphasized the legal level of control, which refers to the lowest level within the budget where the City Council’s approval is legally required before funds can be moved or spent differently.
City Solicitor Ali Giuliani clarified that the City charter allows the mayor to create executive-office positions without Council approval as long as no additional funds are required. Any mid-year budget transfers or department reorganizations – including Laredo’s proposal to create a new Arts and Culture Department – must come before the Council.
“Under the charter, a mayor is authorized to establish positions within the executive office,” she said.
Lemieux confirmed that a January docket item will outline precise salary figures, unfilled positions, and required transfers.
The Finance Committee approved a motion for no action necessary in order to let the upgrades in staffing continue as originally planned.
Gentile then offered heartfelt thanks to the committee members as he prepared to step away from his long-held leadership role. He reflected on his decades working on or chairing Finance, and he praised the committee’s dedication and presence at meetings. In parting, he urged returning Councilors to remain vigilant stewards of taxpayer money.
There is one more regular meeting scheduled for this City Council, on December 15.
Ed. Note: This article has been updated to reflect the result of the December 8 Finance Committee meeting.
