Council: We must work with mayor

LYNN – City Councilor at large Daniel Cahill has a solid but unofficial grip on the council presidency, even as his colleagues look ahead to city business likely to dominate their agenda next year.The council president and vice president are elected on the first Monday in January, but jockeying for outgoing president and former mayoral candidate Timothy Phelan?s post began before the Nov. 5 election.Councilors Gordon “Buzzy” Barton, Peter Capano, Richard Colucci and Hong Net on Monday and Tuesday confirmed their support for Cahill, and Councilor at large-elect Brendan Crighton previously announced his support for Cahill.Councilors Wayne Lozzi and Rick Ford support Ward 2 Councilor William Trahant Jr. for council president. Ward 5 Councilor-elect Dianna Chakoutis could not be reached for comment on her preference Tuesday and Ward 3 Councilor Darren Cyr declined to identify his preference for the presidency.?No matter how it all shakes out, the council will do its best for the residents and work with the mayor,” Cyr said.An improved council-mayor relationship is a priority for several councilors, including Net, Capano and Barton, who said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy?s victory over Phelan on Nov. 5 sent a message.?The people spoke: The council and the mayor must work together,” Barton said.Net said a change in council leadership translates into a change in the council?s working relationship with Kennedy, who will take the oath of office for her second term on Jan. 6.Kennedy?s relationship with the council led by Phelan included two council veto overrides after Kennedy rejected a foreclosure mediation program and limitations on medical marijuana facilities supported by Phelan.Councilors, in turn, rejected her choice of Chief Assessing Director Peter Caron as the city?s chief financial officer. Kennedy subsequently appointed Caron acting CFO.?I?m hoping for a good relationship with the mayor,” Capano said.Capano is also hoping to win colleagues? support to name him the council?s representative on the Water and Sewer Commission. Capano said Ward 1 Councilor Wayne Lozzi is doing a good job as the current representative, but Capano said West Lynn residents seeking relief from street flooding and sewage backups need his representation on the commission.Lozzi currently serves as commission chairman and said he has seven councilors? support for his continued commission service.Lozzi and several colleagues said adding employees and equipment to the Public Works department must be a top council priority in 2014.?This is an improved quality of life issue,” Lozzi said.Cyr supported construction of a new Marshall Middle School in 2012 and 2013, and plans to turn his focus next year to planning for a new Pickering Middle School. Like Capano, Lozzi and Ward 7 Councilor Rick Ford said public works has a lengthy project list that cannot be whittled down without more workers and equipment.?We?re talking about roadways, tree stump removal and parks,” he said.Net and Colucci said the council must help bring more business into Lynn.?I want to focus on helping the city hire a business specialist who can speak more than one language and reach out to business owners and community leaders. That?s a good way to attract more business,” he said.Colucci said Lynn residents expect councilors and Kennedy to make economic development a top city priority.?If we have animosity between the mayor and council, people feel it. We have a lot going for us if we work together,” he said.