Post-COVID Spending Muddles Melrose Budget Deliberations

MELROSE, MA — Whether the city will get back to anything resembling normalcy and how much that might cost was at the center of the outset of budget discussions between Mayor Paul Brodeur's administration and the City Council.

The two sides met virtually in Monday night's Appropriations Committee to deliberate on three department budgets — the Mayor, Community Events and the Disability Commission. (The Human Rights Commission was represented by Michael Stankavish.)

Brodeur's administration proposed a budget for his department of $313,462.68, 1.4 percent less than the current fiscal year's budget. The decrease is due to no raises in the department and a lower salary for a department member than a predecessor.

The Council requested more information on a sick leave incentive program that ran $1,250 in the department and was eligible for other city employees. The program, as it was described, would pay out unused sick time rather than allow it to accrue year-over-year and be paid out in a lump sum upon a city employee leaving.

But the bigger hiccup was a proposed 37 percent increase for community outreach. The current fiscal year is budgeted at $13,500, with FY21 being budgeted at $18,500.

Brodeur's Chief of Staff Patrick Prendergast said the $5,000 bump was for a participatory budget pilot program that would see high school students have a hand in allocating the money to boost their interest in civics. But several Councilors wanted to know how the mayor's team got to the $13,500 when the events the funds normally support — like Healthy Melrose, the Memorial Day parade, Senior Sign Up Day and student and music/arts events — are on hold or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic for the foreseeable future.

Prendergast acknowledged it's a near impossibility to foresee exactly what sort of events the city will have the bandwith for as the state progresses in its phased reopening, but said the funding will be needed for when restrictions begin to loosen and the city looks to inject some life back into business districts that have atrophied.

Prendergast said the city may consider steps like sectioning off parts of Main Street to allow for outdoor seating at some restaurants — steps that won't come particularly cheap when you consider supplies like tables and tape and some departments paying overtime.

"It is vital to create the events and memories and sorts of outreach that make Melrose the special place that it is," he said.

Still, some Councilors weren't satisfied with how the administration got to $18,500.

"It is a 37 percent increase. Do you think you really need the full amount to accomplish what you want to do?" asked Councilor John Tramontozzi?

Prendergast replied: "Yes."

Councilor Shawn MacMaster said the amount seemed "arbitrary" and hoped for more details on possible expenditures.

Prendergast reiterated it's just not feasible with the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19.

"What we do know is that the community is going to have have to bounce back," he said. "This particular line item is key in getting the community back together and the businesses back up and running, etc."

MacMaster's motion to hold Monday night's portion of the budget in committee for more information, including for the sick leave incentive program, was unanimously supported.

There were also questions on the status of the Disability Commission in light of the administration requesting $2,500. The commission, which Brodeur announced the creation of earlier this year, still has no commissioners; Meanwhile, the long-standing Women's Commission was appropriated $2,000.

Prendergast insisted the level of funding did not indicate the priority — "Succinctly there is no reason why any particular commission gets more or less," he said — and that the community outreach item could go to help fund some of the commissions' needs.

MacMaster considered the extra funds for the Disability Commission "seed money" to help get it started.

The Community Events department had an easier time. There was no change in either item from the current fiscal year — celebrations expenses held firm at $6,000 and and the celebrations for veterans held at $2,000. The money this year won't go to the Memorial Day Parade, which has been canceled, but Prendergast said the city plans on honoring veterans when it is safer to do so.

The Human Rights Commission's $3,000 budget, which is the same as last year, was approved unanimously.