Haverhill city councilors acknowledged last night many of Haverhill’s city-owned buildings and schools are in need of maintenance. They did not all agree on the best way to approach the problem, however.
Last June, Mayor James J. Fiorentini was granted a request for $100,000 to hire a maintenance director for the city and schools. Some members of the School Committee balked at the idea, however, because they already have a maintenance department director. As a result, nothing was done. (See earlier story.)
Last night, the mayor changed direction and instead asked the Council for $12,500 to pay for a building maintenance study to find the best option moving forward. Half of the study would be financed by the School Committee.
At least two councilors expressed dissatisfaction with this new plan. Councilor Timothy J. Jordan said the school and city maintenance departments must be separate. A position echoed by Councilor John A. Michitson.
“We’re just going to keep going back and forth. I think what we need to do is hire a maintenance director that knows what he or she is actually doing,” Michitson said.
In the end, the councilors voted 7 to 2 in favor of the mayor’s study plan with Michitson and Jordan opposed.