We are only one month into the new year but there’s lots to talk about. For this article, I’ll stay focused on three of topics: the looming school budget cuts, raises for the city councilors, and a bond for G&E’s proposed fiber roll out.
First, and most important, was the announcement by the school department that $2.9 million in service cuts are required if we are to “level fund” our schools. “Level funding” simply means that we would budget the same amount of money for our schools next year as we did this year.
As discussed at the School Committee’s Finance Subcommittee on January 17th, cutting $2.9 million worth of services will have far reaching impacts on our schools. The cuts will likely result in the closing of Russell Elementary and force a redistricting of our schools causing disruption for hundreds of families across the city. But closing Russell will save only about $700,000. That means over $2 million in additional cuts to staff and programming will need to be made if our goal is to level fund the budget. While we might be able to find some fat in the budget, there’s no doubt that large chunks of bone will need to be chopped out to realize a level-funded budget.
As I stated when I campaigned for office, our school budget has to be the city’s absolute highest spending priority. Last year, I made the motion to stop city council cuts to the school budget and was the deciding vote in favor of not cutting the school budget. And so I am greatly troubled by the prospect of a large $2.9 million cut in services. I will do my best to work with the mayor and other city councilor’s to reallocate funds from other departmental budgets to minimize the size and scope of cuts to our schools.
I am not without some blame for this current situation. In December, along with 11 other city councilors, I voted in favor of spending $2.3 million from the free cash account to support a 0% property tax increase for residents and businesses. But if it was public knowledge in December that the school department required $2.9 million to level fund the budget, I would not have been in support of spending all that free cash. Even part of that $2.3 million around would have gone a long way to offsetting cuts to our schools. I have now learned my lesson, however, and will be much more wary next year.
On a somewhat related matter, a motion to raise city council salaries from $10,000 to $13,000 per year came up for a vote. The last time the city council raised its salary was in 2000. When inflation is factored in, $10,000 back then is worth $14,000 today so I don’t think a $3,000 raise is out of line. However, in light of the potential cuts to the school budget, I voted against the full $3,000 raise for city councilors and made a motion for a more modest raise of $2,000. However, my motion was not seconded and therefore not debated on the floor. My reasoning for the smaller raise is simple. I feel some kind of sacrifice on the part of the city council is proper in order to show good faith to our constituents who have kids in our public schools.
I recognize that politically this isn’t a very smart move. Citizens can still be irritated with me for voting a raise for myself and my colleagues members who support the full $3,000 raise won’t be happy with me either. But I’m a firm believer in the principle that politics is the art of compromise. When no one is completely happy, it usually means a sweet spot has been found. If a $3,000 raise comes up again, I will vote it down again and propose a more modest $2,000 raise.
In other, more exciting and promising news, Westfield Gas & Electric has requested a $15 million bond to expedite the rollout of its high-speed fiber optic internet service to many more city residents and businesses. This build out will occur over the next two years and will cover 70% of all dwellings in the city. The bond will be paid off by G&E using the revenue it generates from the new service and therefore will not add to the city’s tax burden.
In neighborhoods where its internet service is available, G&E reports that it has seen better than expected adoption rates. And after carefully studying interest levels from residents without service, G&E commissioners are highly confident that they will see profits materialize within a few years.
Nothing, of course, is a sure bet, especially in the ever-changing world of communication technology. For example, the next generation wireless, broadband services are already being tested by communication companies in cities like Austin, TX. These wireless services offer speeds comparable to what G&E currently offers. However, from talking to G&E’s General Manager, Dan Howard, and from what I’ve gleaned from reports, those technologies are years away from getting rolled out, especially in smaller markets like ours. This will give G&E plenty of time to implement its fiber network across the city. Furthermore, G&E’s fiber network can be affordably upgraded in the future to meet the never ending growth of data consumption. Not only that, G&E’s fiber network, once installed, will be much more reliable, widespread and probably cheaper than what other foreseeable technologies can provide.
If the city council passes the bond, Westfield residents and businesses will have, by far, the fastest internet speeds available in our area. Although G&E’s service has no plans to provide television programming bundles, G&E will have techs and customer service personnel ready to assist residents looking to “cut the cord” on their existing television services to facilitate the switch to a wealth of very high definition, internet-based programs and bundles available on services such as Netflix, DirectTV, Playstation Vue, Amazon, Hulu, Apple TV, and similar services. This will give residents the potential to save hundreds of dollars each year on their television budget. Residents who cut the cord will be able to receive local programming for free using an antenna which will be sold at cost by G&E. Antenna installation will be free.
In addition to being a benefit for residents, our fiber service can attract new businesses and opportunities for Westfield. A couple of months ago, I visited Chattanooga, TN to talk with city officials and see first hand how they were able to leverage their municipally run broadband network into many economic development opportunities for the community. But this kind of thing doesn’t happen by itself. Westfield will be required to run an aggressive marketing campaign to let the world know what we have available and how it can be of benefit to industries who require high speed internet connections.
I feel confident enough in this project to vote in favor of the bond. I believe government can and must play an important role investing in the infrastructures upon which future progress can be made. That said, the fiber optic expansion is not perfect. I am most disappointed by the fact that some rural regions of Westfield and many low-income neighborhoods will not be included in the fiber optic build out. However, I cannot let the perfect be the enemy of the good and I am told that future expansion may include these neighborhoods.
That’s all for now. Thanks to Patrick Berry and the Westfield News for the opportunity to communicate with my constituents. And if you read this in time, don’t forget to check out the Penguin Plunge happening on Saturday, 12 Noon, at Hampton Ponds in support of the Amelia Park Children’s Museum.
Enjoy the rest of your winter and don’t forget to visit my Facebook page for more frequent updates at facebook.com/SteveDondley.
