Marblehead Unions Protest Budget Cuts Ahead Of Town Meeting

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead public employee unions are planning to stand out in front of next week's annual town meeting in protest of proposed municipal budget cuts.

The cuts included in next year's budget come amid a structural deficit facing the town, the desire to get off reliance on so-called "free cash" as a way to balance the budget each year, and as voters have shot down efforts to raise more revenue through Proposition 2 1/2 overrides each of the last two years.

Voters overwhelmingly rejected a $3 million school general override two years ago and more narrowly rejected last year's attempt at a townwide general override. With expectations that another override will need to be at least attempted next year, both school and town officials opted not to seek one this year given the recent failures.

Union officials are decrying the proposed cuts to schools, police, fire, utilities and other town departments with representatives from each union signing on to a joint statement on the stand-out sent to Patch on Friday.

"Fiscal responsibility does not always automatically translate into spending as little as possible," the statement said. For Marblehead to run smoothly, deliver the services that residents have come to expect and have supported, and remain a desirable community for generations to come, the town must have an adequate budget.

"As municipal employees responsible for teaching Marblehead's children, maintaining Marblehead's roads and infrastructure, conducting Marblehead's town business, and keeping Marblehead's residents safe and secure, we are concerned that a proposed town budget based on deep service cuts will have a lasting, negative impact on the community."

The unions called the cuts "irresponsible and unnecessary" and urged the use of cash reserves to restore staffing and services.

"We have already seen the harm that can arise when our schools are not adequately staffed, putting students and staff at risk," the unions said. "Without a significant course correction, our public schools are in danger of significant and substantial decline.

"What other risks do we take when police, fire, and other town-side departments are also asked year after year to do more with less? Vital resident services are delayed, Marblehead becomes less safe, and our municipal employees, firefighters, and police officers are burned out from the one-two punch of being underpaid and overworked.

"Marblehead can do better. The town has ample reserve funds and the ability to raise revenue.
While reserve funds are necessary for 'rainy days,' it's certainly 'raining' when town officials are proposing drastic cuts to municipal staff and services."

The stand-out also comes as the Marblehead Education Association and other municipal unions are engaged in contract talks with the town.

"We want a community where residents and visitors feel welcome and safe, where our schools provide every child an opportunity to flourish, and where the quality of life is prioritized over an obsession to spend as little as possible on the public good," the unions said.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)