Peabody mayor plans for the worst with revenue cuts

PEABODY-Gov. Deval Patrick?s request for expanded 9C powers has Peabody Mayor Michael Bonfanti planning for the worst.?We?re in dire times and need to be prepared for these dire times,” he said, taking a bit of detour during Tuesday night?s School Committee meeting.Section 9C of the Massachusetts General Laws governs state finances and deals with revenue deficiencies. It details what authority the governor has over actions taken to balance the budget when revenues fall short of spending.As the law is written, Patrick would only be able to alter budgets within the executive branch. However, if Patrick were able to expand his 9C powers, local aid would no longer be exempt from change, which would have a great impact on Peabody?s municipal departments. And, with the state facing a $1.5 billion deficit, Bonfanti believes such cuts are more than likely going to happen.In July, Bonfanti addressed his city?s departments and ordered them to rearrange their budget around a 5 percent cut. At the time, he was being cautious about the elimination of the state income tax. Now, he?s being proactive in regards to 9C cuts.In 2003, expanded 9C powers were granted to Gov. Mitt Romney and local communities were forced to make drastic reductions across the board. According to Bonfanti, 45 people were temporarily laid off throughout the city. He doesn?t want that to happen again.?We have to prioritize what?s important,” he told the School Committee during a discussion of replacing bleachers at the high school.He weighed utilizing funds to purchase a new fire truck versus cleaning Crystal Lake; or spending money on replacing school windows and heating systems versus installing visitors bleachers on the football field.Bonfanti is also taking further actions by personally overseeing the hiring of new staff.?Effective Oct. 15, vacant positions will not be filled without my consent,” he wrote in a letter. “And all major purchases need to be reviewed with Patti Schaffer (Director of Finance). Where possible, all new purchased will be delayed/deferred.”?We?re doing what we can to be prepared,” he said.