Appointment of City Councillor Burke to City Administrative Post Moves Forward

A petition to appoint City Councillor Stephanie Burke to one of the city's top administrative positions was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday night.

The appointment of Burke as the city's Budget and Personnel Director must be approved by the state's legislature because state law does not allow for elected municipal officials to be appointed to other city jobs while serving an elected term.

The council approved a "home rule" petition to be sent to the general court during it's meeting on Tuesday night.

It's the first time the city has ever made such a request to the state, City Solicitor Mark Rumley said.

"It's a bold and beneficial move for the city by the mayor," Rumley said. "It is warranted, given the position being filled."

If the appointment is approved by the General Court, Burke will replace Richard Lee, who died in late December. Lee is the only person to serve as the city's Budget and Personnel director since the city switched to a strong-arm mayor form of government in 1987, and was considered a key advisor to Mayor Michael McGlynn during his on-going 23-year tenure.

McGlynn announced his intention to appoint Burke as the city's new Budget and Personnel director last week. He submitted a written request to the City Council, asking them to move a petition to the Massachusetts General Court.

Burke did not participate in Tuesday night's meeting, but the other six city councillors unanimously approved McGlynn's written request.

Burke currently serves as the chief financial officer at a Winchester-based event rental company, and has previously worked as a tax manager at a major accounting firm. She is also the chair of the city council's Auditing, Finance, Budgets and Taxation subcommittee.

The city council has regularly leaned on her as a budget expert, Councillor Paul Camuso said.

"Time and time again this city council has looked to her as our president in leading us through some tough budgetary times." Camuso said.

Her experience as a city councillor for the last 16 years could improve the relationship between the mayor's office and the city council, council President Robert Maiocco said, which has at times grown contentious recently.

"I'm not expecting any miracles, but I’m expecting certainly there will be a different attitude coming from that office," he said.

The petition will be passed on to the state legislature on Wednesday, Rumley said. But it's known how long it will take for it to consider the petition.

If approved by the legislature, Gov. Deval Patrick will also need to sign off on it. Once that happens, Burke could take over the postition the next day, Rumley said.

Burke did not attend Tuesday night's meeting, but she will not be discouraged by the city to continue to serve on the council until the appointment is approved or denied by the legislature, Rumley said.

If she is appointed to the budget job, she would have to resign from her post on the council.