City Council Narrowly Approves Medford Budget

The Medford City Council approved a $139.6 million operating budget for fiscal year 2013 by a 4-3 vote.

City Councilors Paul Camuso, Fred Dello Russo, Rick Caraviello and Robert Maiocco voted in support of the proposed budget, while Breanna Lungo-Koehn, Michael Marks and Robert Penta voted against the budget.

The budget, which is both the school and city operating budgets combined, is a $6.3 million increase over 2012.

The city's finance department estimates the budget will bring estimated average tax increases of $110 for single family homes, $85 for condos, $121 for two family homes, $143 for 3 family home and $619 for commercial properties. The official tax rate won't be set until December.

Before the budget was approved, Marks made a failed attempt to cut it by about $1.2 million; Penta had a failed attempt to passed a "1/12th" budget, which calls for the city to operate month-by-month on an even-funded budget until a finalized budget is approved.

Lungo-Koehn said she felt the council was misled when $148,000 proposed raises for department heads were brought for their consideration earlier this year. The council approved the raises under the impression that the city's budget would be in good shape, she said.

“I feel like we were almost lied to," she said.

Councilor Rick Caraviello said he objected to budget cuts because he sees city services continue to be reduced, and budget cuts will only make that worse.

"How do we maintain things without hurting the citizens of this community?" Caraviello said.

Camuso said the attempts to reduce the budget should have been brought up earlier in the process than the last meeting before the council needs to submit it to the state.

Overall the budget funds $92.1 million for city operations and $47.5 million for schools.