Fiscal Year 2007 Accomplishments
Financial
· The reduction of a $3.5 million deficit and submitting a balanced FY07 budget, which entailed:
· Adoption of M.G.L. chapter 32B, section 18, a Massachusetts statute that requires all Medicare-eligible retirees to move from self-insured coverage to a fully insured Medicare supplement plan
· Implementation of a spending freeze and significant reduction of personnel in school and city operations
· Re-organization and consolidation of several municipal departments, combined with privatization and outsourcing of some municipal services to outside vendors;
· Bidding health insurance and general liability insurance, netting significant savings;
· Initiated 3 new Payment/Service In Lieu of Tax Agreements (P/SILOT) with North Shore Medical Center, Northeast Animal Shelter, and Children’s Friend bringing in almost $200,000 in a combination of revenues/services
Waterfront Revitalization Efforts
· Receipt of $2.3m grant for purchase of Ferry vessel and start up of Ferry Service
· Receipt of $200,000 grant for Blaney Street New Salem Wharf Design Plans
· Receipt of $750,000 grant toward acquisition of Blaney Street Landing
· $15,000 grant Winter Island Barracks Feasibility Study
· $150,000 grant for Salem Willows Sea Wall Repair
· Receipt of $135,000 grant for Harbormaster Boat
Public Safety Initiatives
· Implementation of a surveillance camera program
· Neighborhood Traffic Enforcement Details
· Re-organization of Police Department which allowed for new patrol officers to fill Superior Officer retirements
· Start up of Bilingual Police Crime Tip Hotline
· Receipt of $200,000 in Shannon Grant funding for multi-jurisdictional strategies for enhanced youth and gang violence prevention and targeted law enforcement efforts (Salem was the lead community for the grant)
· Implementation of Reverse 911 System
Opening up the Process of Government
· Formed a strong partnership with the City Council
· Solicited public interest for municipal boards and commissions
· Over 50 new people appointed to boards and commissions and initiated several new boards such as Renewable Energy Task Force (Green Energy Committee), Beautification Committee, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Recreation and Open Space Committee, Bike Path Committee
· Marketplace Block Development Review Process
· Start up of Senior Citizen Tax Work-Off Program
· Updated City Website to make it more accessible and user friendly
Public Works Initiatives
· Loring Avenue Water Improvement Project
· Re-paving of over 16 roadways (including, upper Lafayette Street, lower Derby Street, Winter St., Mill Hill intersection, mid-portion of Jefferson Avenue, etc.)
· Congress/Derby Intersection Improvements
· Bypass Road Construction Start Up
· North Street Improvements Construction Start Up
· Completion of first Dog Park in the City of Salem at Bridge Street
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