Letters
LETTER: Ambulance, Public Safety Should be a Priority in New City Positions
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Greetings Councilors:
Has anyone noticed the cumulative monetary effects of all the new positions created within the City Administration? And yet; a second ambulance, for the well-being and safety of the citizens of Watertown, is in jeopardy of not materializing for the coming fiscal year budget. The last paragraph of the 03/06/25 Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight (BFO) Report states as follows:
“At the conclusion of the discussion, the Manager shared that there is uncertainty around the FY26 budget,…..He proposed that the Fire Department and Committee continue exploring the proposal, given the value of having an additional on-site ambulance service. However, he does not see this as a possibility for FY26 given where we are in the planning cycle, and the current forecast.” [Note: referral to BFO was made on 11/12/24]
So …, after the Council and City Manager hired over thirty new employees in two fiscal years: it seems as though the City is now in austerity mode. At the 2023 Memorial Day Parade; I spoke to several City Councilors. I strongly voiced my concerns against the then proposed increased level of new City hires, included in the FY 24 Budget.