Peabody City Council gets off to rocky start with appointment controversy

PEABODY – The first meeting of the City Council for the 2009 calendar year got off to a rapid start, as councilors moved through public hearings with ease. However, when the subject matter turned to the approval of Mayor Michael Bonfanti’s most recent list of appointments, things came to a screeching halt.Given the tough fiscal times, the majority of councilors had a difficult time assigning certain paid positions to certain individuals. Volunteer or unpaid posts, however, were unanimously approved.Councilor Dave Gravel started the conversation by bringing everyone’s attention to “the elephant in the room,” referring to Jean Delios, Director of Community Development.Gravel said he was “put at odds” with approving the 13 paid positions with little more information than the individual’s name, address, position, and the date their term expires. He said he was even more perturbed that not once has the reappointment of Delios been brought before the Council.Councilor Barry Osborne pointed out another “elephant,” this time taking the shape of City Physician Michael Woods of South Hamilton.Osborne said that in “these tough fiscal times,” the city should “question the need of positions.”Councilor Anne Manning pointed out the third and final elephant in the room, Assistant City Solicitor Dan Cocuzzo.”His major function is negotiations,” she said, adding that since negotiations are wrapping up, it “behooves” her to question his reappointment. “We’re looking at difficult fiscal decisions. Some positions really need to be scrutinized.”Before taking a vote, Councilors Manning and Michael Garabedian made similar motions to vote on each paid position individually, so as to defer any appointments that require a closer look. Under those terms, the council unanimously voted to review Woods’ position. They voted 10-1 to review Cocuzzo’s, with Councilor Dave Gamache casting the lone vote.Additionally, Gravel made a motion to improve the appointment process in the future by requesting salary and benefit eligibility information be added to the mayor’s list of appointments. Salary increases would still go before the Finance Committee for approval as usual.”The public has a right to know what these positions pay,” he said.