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Fire Resolve |
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In City Council, April 27, 2009
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WHEREAS, the City Fire Department recently lost 20 firefighters due
to the Governor’s 9C cuts;
WHEREAS, the Department also has 28 positions that have not been
filled due to budget constraints;
WHEREAS, the number of personnel in the Department is at a level far
below those recommended by applicable industry standards;
WHEREAS, the City’s legislative delegation is working to have the
Governor earmark certain federal stimulus funds for the City’s Fire
Department to assist in maintaining appropriate staffing levels;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City Council hereby states its support for the
efforts of the state legislative delegation in seeking federal
stimulus funds for the City, including the City’s Fire Department,
and be it further
RESOLVED, that a certified copy of this Resolve be forwarded to the
Governor.
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Commentary |
Councilor-at-Large Linda Balzotti introduced a strong resolve urging
Governor Deval Patrick to earmark federal stimulus funds for the
Brockton Fire Department. The resolve, which passed unanimously
under suspension of the rules at the Brockton City Council’s April
27, 2009 meeting, was meant to draw attention to the plight of the
Fire Department at a time when the Legislature is drafting and
debating the state budget.
“The Brockton Fire Department has sustained devastating cuts – 48
positions lost through direct cuts in state aid and attrition over
the past several years. The number of firefighters we have is far
less than recommended industry standards,” Balzotti said. “We
cannot sit idly by while the Brockton Fire Department is
dismantled. However difficult the budget, we have to keep in mind
that these decisions can mean life and death, and the work we do
today can avert a tragedy tomorrow. I will do everything I can to
support the efforts of our state delegation to restore funding for
this critical city service.”
Balzotti filed the resolve to send a clear message to the governor
of the need for more stimulus money to benefit key city services in
Brockton. The city sustained a $2.5 million cut in state aid
mid-year, which resulted in layoffs across city departments this
month. Brockton is now bracing for further cuts to local aid.
“These are dark days for municipalities across the Commonwealth and
across the country; every city and town is facing difficult
financial decisions,” Balzotti said. “This budget cycle isn’t
pleasant, it requires pragmatism and prioritization. I’m focusing
on the most
essential
services the city provides to its residents and I’m looking at every
avenue available to protect those services from further cuts.”
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Stimulus Fund Resolve |
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In City Council, May 11, 2009 |
WHEREAS,
various sums of money that have been slated to come to the City as a
part of Federal Stimulus program;
WHEREAS, the citizens are entitled to know how such funds will
impact services and budget shortfalls;
WHEREAS, the City Council, as the appropriating authority for the
City, should be involved in determination of the allocation of
Federal Stimulus resources; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the Mayor and/or his designee, the Chief Financial
Officer and the CEO of Building a Better Brockton be invited before
a committee of the council to discuss the various types of stimulus
funds the city is expected to receive and how the funding will be
utilized to impact public safety, transportation, energy
conservation, housing, summer youth employment and job creation
through programs such as the Brockton Area Workforce Investment
Board.
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Commentary |
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The City of Brockton is slated to receive several million dollars
in federal stimulus monies. Councilor-at-Large Linda Balzotti
introduced a resolve bringing the Mayor and chairman of Building a
Better Brockton in front of the City Council to provide an
accounting of where the funds would be spent.
“The funds are coming from a variety of sources, and I wanted to
make sure that the citizens of Brockton were given an explanation of
where the funds were being spent,” Balzotti said. “My goal would be
to use these funds to the best advantage of the citizens of
Brockton, to save jobs and invest in our local economy.”
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more resolves
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