Cahill questions need for Lynn library dept.

LYNN – Lynn’s public library system, albeit a skeleton of its former self, still functions as a separate municipal department run by a chief librarian who receives perks including tenure, a 25-percent pay increase for having a master’s degree and use of a vehicle.Councilor-at-large Daniel Cahill wants to change that arrangement, contending it is needlessly expensive at a time when the city is grappling for every dollar.Chief Librarian Nadine Mitchell, head of the Library Department, is set to retire Feb. 1. Meanwhile, the city is accepting applications for the post through Fr-iday. The chief librarian base salary is $69,370, but is boosted by tenure after three years to $72,578. With the 25-percent educational incentive added for a master’s degree, the position pays $90,722.Cahill on Wednesday penned a letter to Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, laying out a proposal that would merge the Library Department with the city clerk’s office. The letter, also disseminated to his council colleagues, asked that an interim chief librarian be appointed until the matter can be publicly discussed.”As you know, the designation of being a department head comes with certain perks, the most coveted being tenure and others including certain longevity and salary requirements,” Cahill wrote. “It is abundantly clear that the city’s finances can no longer sustain certain vestiges of the old ways in Lynn city government.”Cahill said the council should reorganize the structure so the Library Department is merged with the city clerk’s office or another municipal department “it feels would be a good fit.”The move would not be unprecedented, given the Election Department – once a stand-alone with its own department head – was fused with the city clerk’s office in 2003 under former mayor Edward Clancy Jr.”The effect will only be felt at the top level, with the city clerk assuming the department head status of the Library Department and the chief librarian position falling under the city clerk’s domain,” Cahill stated. “No further responsibilities will be placed upon the city clerk and the business of the Library Department will not alter, however the city will save money by way of calibrating the chief librarian’s base salary and other perks, especially tenure.”City Clerk Mary Audley said she has not seen any detailed plan. “I don’t know the logistics of it, so I can’t say whether it’s feasible or not. What we do here is not related to the services provided by the library, but I understand (Cahill) is trying to save the city money.”Reducing the overall number of city department heads would also result in a savings to local taxpayers, said Cahill.The councilor noted that many of the city’s branch libraries have closed over the past few decades. Coupled with technological advances, the city must re-evaluate the role the chief librarian will play in the larger vision of the local government structure, he said.”I would be more than happy to discuss options for improving efficiency and cost savings throughout the city and feel this is an important instance where we as a city can set a precedent of reorganization,” he said.Kennedy has not supported the practice of paying department heads an additional 25 percent in incentive salary if they hold a master’s degree.”In general, I don’t support the educational incentive but, until it is bargained away or found illegal or impermissible, then I have to do it,” the mayor said. “Right now it’s required by contract, so it’s not my choice.”Kennedy praised Cahill for attempting to trim the municipal budget.”I agree with what he’s doing in principle, trying to reorganize city government. And I have asked the legal department to look into it,” she said. “But I don’t know for certain if we have the authority to restructure. Even if we did, does the chief librarian who controls the finances have to be on site for a certain number of hours? If there is no Library Department, will that affect the ability to obtain grants? I’m als