Mayor Cohen's State of the City Address

10/20/03

(click here for Educational Excerpts)

 

President Lipsitt, Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board of Aldermen, School Committee Chair Larner, Members of the School Committee, members of the state’s legislative delegation, friends, family, members of the public, my fellow Newtonians, welcome. I also want to welcome and thank my staff for the great job that they do every day of the year for me and for the City: my Chief of Staff, Mike Rourke, the Chief Budget Officer Sandy Pooler, Director of Policy and Communication, Karen Griffey, Maureen Grimaldi, the Citizens Assistance Officer, Mary Morgan, my extraordinary Executive Assistant, and Terry Caminiti the Mayor’s Office Assistant, who does a superb job.

I also want to thank my department heads for the great job they do. Many of the accomplishments that I mention in this speech are really theirs and also they are the accomplishments of the dedicated city work force who are the ones who every day of the year make this the great city that it is.

These are challenging times for all municipalities in Massachusetts, but we in Newton face those challenges from a position of strength.

We face some challenges because nothing lasts forever and people move on to other things. Board President Brooke Lipsitt, whose service dates back to 1992, and whose service as President dates back to 1998, has brought dignity, decorum and mutual respect to the Board. In addition to the intelligence and problem solving ability she has brought to a wide range of issues, she has elevated the level of debate and has made sure that no matter how intense the feelings were on any matter the debate was always orderly, on point, and free from personal acrimony. Her legacy is an ability to find common ground and a standard of conduct of Board business that her successor would do well to aspire to.

Ward 4 Alderman, Polly Bryson, whose service dates back to 1986, has been an ardent advocate for her vision of what was best for the people she represented. She has demonstrated boundless energy in giving a voice to people who too often had none. No issue was too small, no issue too big for Polly to make her mark. Whether it was the design of the smallest traffic intersection or the disposition of the largest land use proposal, if it was in Ward 4, Polly was a leader. Polly has been a model for what a Ward Alderman should be, and all Newton is better for her service.

Richard Bullwinkle, whose service dates back to 1970, was the dean of the Board. His unique contribution to the Board he so loved, was a deep-seated sense of right and wrong, coupled with a broad perspective of the City, born of the experience of over a generation of public service. Dick could be a fiery debater, especially when that sense of right and wrong was violated. His legacy is his passion for justice that we all would do well to remember when considering difficult issues.

I know that those who will carry on in their absence will meet the challenge to fill the substantial shoes of their retiring colleagues.

We face other challenges as well due to the times we live in. A recession and plunging state aid to cities and towns continue to challenge the ability of many communities to provide basic city services. Municipalities across the Commonwealth have been forced to impose broad service cutbacks, lay off police officers and firefighters, and some have even been forced to close schools and libraries.

We in Newton have been able to maintain the high quality of our services, retain the same staffing levels in our police and fire forces, the same favorable class size ratio in the schools, and in a number of areas, actually enhance the scope of services we provide.

We were able to meet the challenge through thorough planning: Some of the changes we implemented to balance this year’s budget took almost a year to develop. Sound management and rigorous control of expenditures: The measures we have introduced to control overtime city-wide are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. And close cooperation with the School Committee and Board of Aldermen. I cannot stress enough that the work of School Committee Chair Anne Larner and the rest of the Committee, together with Superintendent Young, was absolutely essential in balancing this budget. And how essential the role of the Board of Aldermen was as well, in having first the foresight to approve the creation of our rainy day fund, and second the restraint not to try to use it until it was absolutely necessary this year.

Continued vigilance is essential. There is every reason to believe that next year will be as difficult or more so than this. The economy remains sluggish, health care costs are likely to see double digit increases and the state faces a 1 to 2 billion dollar budget deficit for the coming year.

But we will face this challenge from a position of strength as well. Newton’s triple A bond rating is a sign of our fiscal strength. We remain one of only two cities in the Commonwealth with such rating, a rating that was reaffirmed by Moody’s last August. In giving that rating Moody’s specifically pointed to our high school financing plan as a sign of our fiscal soundness.

A second sign of our financial strength, for the fiscal year just ending, we will have the largest surplus in many years, estimated by the Controller to be between 6 and 7 million dollars. We very carefully managed departmental expenditures during the year to obtain this surplus, knowing very well that every dollar of it will likely be needed to be ready for the even harder times that may be coming next year.

This surplus, barely 3% of our budget, is the city’s insurance policy against further cuts in state aid and increased costs. In order to be ready for those possibilities, I propose to use the surplus first to replenish our rainy day fund. Second, I am directing Chief Budget Officer Sanford Pooler to develop preliminary revenue estimates by November first so that the budgetary planning process for next year will have a definite target. Third, by December 1st I will announce the allocation of that revenue between the Schools and other municipal departments.

With prudence, careful planning, and foresight, I know we can meet next year’s budgetary challenge just as we met this year’s.

Today we face another challenge because we have tackled a problem that has gone unaddressed for decades. We will meet this challenge too.

We must provide a safe, clean, modern Newton North that meets the needs of 21st century students.

We learned just how difficult that was when we had to scrap the original renovation plan because it just wouldn’t work. Nipping the original plan at the bud has given us an opportunity. We have the chance to build a Newton North far superior to that envisioned in the original plan. For, while we here today did not cause the problem with the Newton North building, we are determined to solve it regardless of the difficulties.

Traveling the path that lies before us in an orderly fashion, while containing many steps, will provide us with the best opportunity to build a Newton North that solves the problems we’ve endured for over thirty years. The next four steps are as follows:

First, after a series of joint meetings with the Board of Aldermen, public forums, and working meetings, seeking broad public input, the School Committee will recommend an option that it feels best meets the educational program which they have set forth. They have scheduled a vote for November 24th.

Second, I will examine the option that the School Committee recommends and present the Board of Aldermen with a funding plan and a request for an appropriation for the design work on the project. I expect to be able to do this by the first of the year, when the new Board of Aldermen takes office.

Third, the Board of Aldermen will decide whether to authorize the request for appropriation. They will also have the opportunity to examine the financial plan, the conceptual plans and any other aspect of the project that they feel will help them in their deliberations.

Fourth, at the same time, the city will meet with the School Building Assistance Program to seek their preliminary approval for a revision in scope for the Newton North project. If preliminary approval is granted then the Newton North project will retain the same place on the funding list with reimbursement based on the revised project cost and we will proceed.

I know that there has been much conjecture about our chances of obtaining SBAP approval for this change. Some have speculated that Beacon Hill politics make approval unlikely. Others have gone as far as to suggest that it is futile to even try. To those who would doom this effort before it is made, my response is simple. Stay the course.

Christine Lynch, director of the of the SBAP, has stated for the record and specifically that none of the actions of the Legislature will in any way adversely affect Newton’s chances of approval.

What is more seeking SBAP approval for this change is the course recommended by officials of the SBAP, itself. Every public school building built in the last fifty years has been built with state assistance. Seeking it in this case, remains the most prudent course to follow.

We also face the continuing challenge to build community and foster diversity within our city, despite the uncertain times. The acquisition of Kesseler Woods, with the indispensable help of Michael Kruse and the Planning Department, is not only a demonstration of the importance of the Community Preservation Act and a victory for open space, its 14 units of affordable housing will be an important addition to our supply of that precious commodity. Additionally, the passage of the new inclusionary zoning law, which simplifies requirements and creates incentives for developers to provide affordable housing, will have an important impact in our ongoing efforts to strengthen economic diversity in the city. We are all grateful to the Inclusionary Zoning Advisory Committee, Chaired by Ed Dailey and including Josephine McNeil, Chris Damon and Jonathan Hacker, for its work. And to Alderman Johnson, Alderman Yates and Alderman Gentile for their work to secure its passage.

The Theodore D. Mann Library Building continues to be a source of community pride and a learning magnet that draws people together, enhancing our sense of community. It continues to be the most heavily utilized library in the state, and this year its circulation increased by 4% to 1,898,405 different materials.

This year it has implemented a new service in which people can ask, on-line any reference question they have, and receive an answer 24 hours a day seven days a week. If you want to find out the population of Queensland, Australia you can ask on-line. If you want to know the year Peter O’Toole won the Oscar for Lawrence of Arabia you can ask on-line. If you want to know the outcome of the 1949 American League pennant play-off game between the Boston Red Sox and the Yankees. Actually I can tell you, and you don’t want to know.

With the help of our Information Technology Department, the Library has implemented a wireless network at the main library, enabling patrons to use their laptops virtually anywhere in the library.

It is a testament to Director Kathy Glick-Weil and her staff, but not at all surprising, that for the second year in a row, Newton's has been ranked the second best library in the nation.
Our Human Services Department, led by Beverly Stachowicz, strengthens the bonds of community across all age groups. The Youth Commission, under the leadership of Joseph DeVito, and utilizing the energy of student commission members, organized the 2nd annual Autumn Invasion - Youth Day Celebration. With so many sensationalized news headlines focusing on the misdeeds of a tiny number of young people, Autumn Invasion highlights the many ways in which great numbers of young people in Newton can and do make lasting contributions to our community every single day. This year over 500 young people participated.

Our Senior Center, ably led by Jayne Colino, which continues to provide important programs for thousands of elders in our community, recently celebrated the receipt of its national accreditation, only the third center in the Commonwealth to achieve such status.

Recognizing that there is still an unserved and underserved elderly population, the Council On Aging is embarking on an important new course with its "seniors count" program. The purpose is to extend the bonds of community to seniors who do not necessarily participate at the Senior Center, by identifying elders in need of services, and connecting them with appropriate programs, providers and information.

In an effort to make living in Newton more affordable to those on limited incomes, the Human Services Department has implemented the recently passed Senior Work-Off program. Currently 26 seniors are providing services to the city and receiving up to a $750 credit on their real estate taxes.

This year's community service day attracted close to 1,000 volunteers who pitched in on a wide range of community service projects.

And by revamping our youth outreach program, we provide 24 hour a day coverage for adolescents in need of counseling services.

The Newton History Museum at the Jackson Homestead, under the direction of David Olson, continues to build community through its rich variety of public events and its array of exhibits designed to give us a greater understanding of what Newton life was like in an earlier time, and the extraordinary contribution that Newton citizens have made to the arts, sciences and history of our nation.

The City also is facing the challenge of finding ways of improving services in spite of tight resources.

Our Election Commission, under Peter Karg, introduced the new voting machines, which provide for the instantaneous computerized tabulation of ballots. The new system reduces waiting time for voters, greatly increases the accuracy of vote totals, greatly reduces the time it takes to report them to the public, and reduces cost. The results of this September's preliminary election were posted on the web site by 9:30 pm.

The ability of our Fire Department to continue to deliver the top-notch protection we have come to expect, depends most importantly upon the quality of the personnel and the quality of their vehicles. This year in keeping with our ongoing program of vehicle replacement, we are slated to acquire a new engine 3 and to refurbish engine 10.

Additionally, it is critical that the people who put themselves in harm’s way be trained to respond to all forms of potential peril. Since 9/11 the world has changed and firefighters have to respond to a new peril, the intentional introduction of hazardous and lethal substances into the environment. Under the leadership of Chief Joseph LaCroix, our Fire Department is now one of the few in the metro-west area able to respond to a wide and growing range of potentially deadly threats 24 hours a day. With its recent training at the fire academy, the department can operate its recently obtained mass decontamination unit, so that victims exposed to potentially lethal substances can receive lifesaving medical treatment.

Our Police force, which has always been one of the finest in the state, has met the challenge of improving the quality of service in a time of limited financial resources. Chief Cordero has done this by scientifically analyzing crime data and responding accordingly. The department’s enhanced community safety initiative, systematically examines crime information and concentrates available personnel in those areas where crimes have been occurring. Also through Chief Cordero's realignment of our patrol force, there are more patrol officers working on the streets of Newton than there have been in the last fifteen years. As a result of these initiatives, we achieved a 14% reduction in crime in the most recent fiscal year. This means that in a time of rising crime elsewhere, Newton citizens, families and their children are safer.

The Police Department continues to upgrade its technological capabilities in support of daily operations. It has added laptops to all cruisers, replaced the outdated 911 emergency dispatch center's main server. And, with funds from our $1,000,000 homeland security grant, will replace computer hardware and software systems in the center to allow for emergency communications with other departments. The result is a more efficient department even better able to protect and serve the public.

Additionally, a good officer is a well-trained officer. The department has augmented training to ensure our police officers are the best prepared to handle incidents from every day emergencies to critical incidents.

Our Public Works Department, led by Bob Rooney, has found ways of improving service in these difficult times. The capital investments in relining a substantial number of our century old sewer pipes, has not only reduced the amount of sewer related street flooding, it has saved rate payers literally millions of dollars in MWRA sewer use charges.

Our investment in relining our water pipes has resulted in a significant improvement in the purity of water entering our homes. In every test period since 2001, Newton's water quality for lead has met or bettered the MWRA's most stringent standard.

The acquisition of additional sidewalk plowing equipment and heavy sanders will not only improve our ability to plow the streets, but to clear more sidewalks for pedestrians as well.
Our schools continue to be a magnet that draws young families to Newton and give us all a sense of pride. From the results on standardized tests, to the innovative programs, to our extraordinary teachers and students, to the Daytime newspaper at the Day Middle School, Newton Schools continue to set the standard on both a state and national level.

In defense of the environment, Newton is the municipal leader in use of wind and solar power, we just received a $500,000 grant for solar panels at Newton South. And our fleet of vehicles now includes low pollution vehicles and will soon acquire more.

The Parks and Recreation Department, under the leadership of Fran Towle, provides programs that serve thousands of Newton residents. Our arborist, Marc Welch, has greatly enhanced our ability to care for our precious tree line which graces so many of our city streets. And Assistant Superintendent of Maintenance, Derek Mannion, has greatly enhanced our ability to maintain our precious playgrounds and ball-fields.

Our IT department, under the direction of Ann Cornaro, has automated more than one dozen additional functions over the past year. It has increased the number of permits applications, forms, and informational materials that may be obtained over the City's website. It has also redesigned the website to provide an index of services, allowing easier website navigation.

The Health Department continues to be both diligent and innovative in the protection of the public health. Its recently formed Environmental Management team has worked to identify and respond to environmental concerns in our schools. Also at a time of significant budget cutbacks, Commissioner Naparstek has maintained nurse coverage at all our schools. And the program to provide defibrillators in our public buildings has already resulted in the saving of a life.

Together we are meeting the challenge to make Newton an even stronger, more cohesive community. In spite of difficult economic times, Newton is moving forward. This is because we share a common vision of a better community, a determination to realize that vision, an abiding confidence in the commitment and ability of the people of Newton to make that vision a reality. Let’s work for that vision of an even better City, so that Newton in the 21st century will continue to be a shining example of a community that’s a good place to settle in, to raise a family and spend your senior years. A community that’s a good place to spend your life.