Mayor James J. Fiorentini > Press Release

Mayor: “Override, Debt Exclusion Options Off the Table”

HAVERHILL- Mayor James J. Fiorentini, attempting to meet a budget gap of $2.5 million mostly from cuts in State aid, today announced that will not pursue an override or debt exclusion. 

“In this economic environment, it is the wrong time to ask for an override or debt exclusion, as some have suggested.   While some employee groups are suggesting that the public bear more of the burden for the cuts in State aid, I suggest that the public is already bearing the burden of this recession.  Too many citizens are losing jobs, losing pensions, losing homes and losing incomes.  I cannot in good conscience add additional tax burdens to Haverhill residents.  Even if I did, and asked for an override, there would be a zero chance of approval.” added the Mayor.

“The first step in meeting the crisis has to be health care changes.  Changing our outdated health care plan to a more reasonable plan and then joining the GIC would save jobs for our employees and save critical public services for our citizens.  Changing the health care system would help us to keep police on the streets, firefighters in neighborhood fire stations and teachers in the classrooms.

I repeat what I said in my State of the city speech.  Isn’t a job with a health plan with increased co-pays better than no job with no health plan?

The Mayor said he would put forth a detailed amended budget in about two weeks to address the crisis.  “That amended budget will show the budget today and the likely effect of the new budget starting in July.  The amended budget I submit will include budget cuts, layoffs, new revenue sources, and use of some of our reserves.   My budget will not call for an override or debt exclusion.”