BEVERLY — City Council President Tim Flaherty says the school superintendent has been "dragging his feet" on a plan to bring the schools' buildings and grounds under the control of the city.

"We've gotten no explanation in over a year as to why it hasn't happened," Flaherty said, after raising the issue at last week's joint City Council and School Committee meeting.

The council voted last June to consolidate, but Superintendent James Hayes said yesterday the plan was put on the back burner so he could turn his attention to more important issues.

"There are higher priorities on my plate that took up my time," Hayes said. Specifically, he said he's been involved with building the new high school and negotiating union contracts.

Hayes said he'll be ironing out details with Michael Collins, commissioner of public services and engineering, who would be in charge of the combined department.

Consolidating services won't necessarily "save thousands of dollars," Flaherty said, but it will cut down on expenses like equipment and outside contracting and establish better communication.

"By pooling your resources, you're able to provide a better service," Flaherty said. "When you talk about city government, people are always saying, 'How can you do this better?' This is a way."

When the departments are combined, the position of school building and grounds director, currently held on an interim basis by Tim Liporto, would report to Collins. Collins earns $94,900 a year. Liporto earns $74,880, plus a car allowance of $3,120.

Hayes said he wants to make sure the schools would receive the same level of service under the new agreement.

"Our building and grounds department right now is serving our schools better than in the 10 years I've been here," Hayes said. "I want to be sure if we move to this consolidated arrangement, we'll still be able to say that."

He credits that to more preventive maintenance and Finance Director Joan Liporto's effort to improve the department.

"I think she was instrumental in raising expectations," Hayes said. "Buildings and grounds is an area that falls under her responsibility."

Her husband, Tim, was hired to head the department in October. After previous director Chris Rand's contract was not renewed last year, another worker in the department, Glenn Fiore, applied for the management position and was hired. However, after a couple of months he decided to step down and went back to his previous job.

"Tim was available and agreed to do the interim job," Hayes said. He said he's done an "outstanding job" and is not concerned by a husband-and-wife team working efficiently together.

"Some people may be bothered with that," he said. "To be honest, I'm not, because I'm close enough to see the performance of the people."

When the city and school departments are combined, Hayes said, it's important that the school district maintains a full-time, "24/7 position."

He said he doesn't know if Liporto would be hired on a permanent basis, or if the district would advertise for someone else.

"We haven't come to a conclusion on that yet," Hayes said.

The initial plan was to consolidate the departments by the end of July. Hayes said he plans to talk to Collins about details and hopes to have something in place soon after.

"I'm aiming for the fall," he said.

Staff writer Paul Leighton contributed to this story. Cate Lecuyer can be reached at clecuyer@salemnews.com.