DANVERS — Two police and two firefighters were sent layoff notices Thursday, the first time the town manager has penned pink slips to such public-safety personnel in his three decades on the job.
"I have not had a layoff of uniformed police or fire in my tenure," said Town Manager Wayne Marquis, who has trimmed positions through attrition, when people left voluntarily or retired.
The cuts are expected to save $180,000 — a total of $90,000 in each department, he said.
"You are hereby given notice that because of budgetary constraints, the Town of Danvers intends to eliminate the position presently occupied by you," read Marquis's layoff letter. The cuts are effective June 27.
Marquis described the layoffs as "very difficult. I know (fire Chief) James Tutko discussed it, spoke personally with all the firefighters. (Police Chief) Neil Ouellette spoke personally with all our police officers."
Marquis declined to name those who got layoff notices, but said the town plans to assist them.
"It's a difficult process for everybody," he said.
The cuts reduce the number of uniformed firefighters from 51 to 49. The number of police drops from 48 to 46. Those laid off will be placed on "departmental reinstatement lists" that, under state Civil Service rules, gives them priority if a job opens up in the next five years.
Police and firefighters union heads called the layoffs unfortunate and upsetting, with the potential to affect how the departments deliver their services.
"Obviously we are very upset with two of our officers receiving notices they are going to be laid off," said Danvers Police Benevolent Association President Dana Michael Hagan. "It will definitely affect staffing levels and the ability of the department to perform as it has in the past. We have to do more with less."
Hagan said a man and a woman were let go.
The police union did not vote on a salary freeze, which Marquis proposed as a way to save money while guaranteeing no layoffs in the coming fiscal year.
Hagan said police did vote for a new contract earlier this year that carries a 3 percent raise in splits, a 2 percent raise followed by a 1 percent raise. Marquis asked the police union to reopen the contract negotiations within days of signing it earlier this spring, something with which the union was not comfortable.
"It's unfortunate that the town feels this is the solution to the budget situation," said firefighter Brian Barry, president of the Danvers Firefighters Association International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2038. He said Marquis asked for creative ways to solve a $900,000 budget shortfall, but, "He has not been open to our ideas."
Two days before the third negotiating session on May 19, Barry said Marquis sent a letter saying the session would not be necessary.
"We are still willing today to sit down with him and negotiate with him to avoid these layoffs," Barry said.
The firefighters contract calls for a 3 percent increase, a 2 percent raise on July 1 and a 1 percent increase on Jan. 1, Barry said.
"We don't want to see these guys laid off and I don't want to run with two fewer guys," Barry said.
Barry said the layoffs will not save the town as much money as planned, since Danvers will have to pay unemployment compensation, while filling shifts on overtime.
When asked if the cuts would trigger an increase in overtime that could offset savings, Marquis said: "We expect to be able to live within that budget in all departments."
The town's $900,000 budget shortfall created by a drop in state aid and other revenues. The reduced spending plan passed at Town Meeting last month. The schools have made $475,000 in last-minute cuts, sending out layoff notices to seven teachers.
This spring, Marquis asked 12 town unions to accept a salary freeze in return for a no-layoff guarantee for one year. In all, eight of the bargaining units accepted the wage freeze. Top managers like Marquis and schools Superintendent Lisa Dana also accepted the freeze to save money. Teachers union leaders wrote the School Committee last week saying they were ending conversations on their contract.
Selectman Keith Lucy said the layoffs are a shame, since final state aid figures are not set. Lucy has lobbied for new telecommunications, hotel, motel and meals taxes which would have helped closed the gap. The state Senate version of the state budget carrying such measures could bring in $1.86 million more in taxes if it passes, Lucy said.
"Until we know what that final (state aid) number is, it's probably several weeks away, we have enough money to ... at least start this fiscal year," he said.
Marquis said the town supports such revenue generators, but he did not count on the money because it would probably be next year before the money would be available.
Lucy added that he is personally concerned about cuts to police, as the rear window of his car was smashed and his laptop was stolen from inside the vehicle. He also referred to a recent rape at a Route 1 restaurant, and said police are dealing with numerous drug crimes.
"It's reprehensible and it's unneeded, and I don't get it," Lucy said of the job cuts.
"It's unfortunate that we have let personnel go, but in tough economic times, it was the only prudent option that we could take, given the financial constraints of the budget," selectmen Chairman Gardner Trask said.
Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673, or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.
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