Proposed Payroll Increases Irk Residents While Winthrop Education Needs Funding

The Town Council held off  approving the FY19 budget Tuesday night after several residents questioned the proposed salary increases in the budget at a time when schools are lagging, a lawsuit needs to be settled, and water and sewer bills are up 17 percent.

“I think I speak for a lot of people in town when I say ‘no’,” said resident Guy Brandenstein, when speaking about the 17 percent increase in water bills, adding that the increase “smells like downwind of Deer Island.”

Resident Michael Kantrovitz pointed out that the original request for the school budget was a $3.2 million increase. The number was then reduced to $1.2 million and finally $800,000.

The total budget proposal for FY19 is $50,570,025.

“I find it short-sighted. We have one of the worst performing school districts in the Greater Boston area. Property values are very well correlated to how well the schools are performing. If you want more property tax revenue you need a better performing school district than we currently have,” Kantrovitz said.

He noted the proposed payroll increases, including in the Police Department “which has cost us millions of dollars” (referring to a recent discrimination legal case).

Kantrovitz, like others, threatened to recruit town council candidates who will support the schools.

Resident Shannon Borthwick said she was not happy with the budget or salary increases and pointed to the recent lawsuit decision.

If the budget were passed, she said she would bring in candidates to make sure council members weren’t reelected.

“We’re going to have to prioritize education and this budget doesn’t do that,” she said. “I am willing to pay taxes for the services the town should provide but I am not willing to subsidize sexual (sic: gender) discrimination, especially at the top levels of our government and especially at the expense of my children. It’s apparent to me that the town, in some instances doesn’t value the opinion and strength of women, however, I caution you about ever under estimating the women I know who are educated, intelligent and informed.”

Resident Christopher Aiello stated that former interim Town Manager/Police Chief Terance Delehanty, who prepared the budget, “proposed some large discretionary pay raises for some of the highest paid positions in town, including a $16,000 raise for himself in his position as police chief.”

He said the message it sends that pay raises are valued over the education of Winthrop children.

“This budget as proposed is preposterous,” said resident Joe Aiello, who submitted 150 signatures and said he could have had over 1,000 if there was more time.

“There is incredible anger over the performance of this council and the performance of this town. I looked at pay raises, which is unbelievable, I also looked for where the dollars are for the settlement of Officer Racow. I don’t see it in there and don’t tell me its insurance, insurance doesn’t cover the whole thing. Bad behavior comes back to the taxpayer.”

Delehanty said the office of the Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools works together and will continue to do to make sure the school needs are met.

“This is not a town against school fight like in 2008 and 2009,” Delehanty said. “Our job was to look for a balanced budget and we did.”