Teamsters push back on layoffs as Malden begins to address $10M deficit

By Lorna Garey

In an unusually lively and well-attended Committee of the Whole meeting on April 28, councilors began the process of addressing the city’s $10 million fiscal year 2027 structural deficit, heard from counsel on a pending marijuana dispensary lawsuit and discussed local infrastructure developments.

The council suspended its typical rules to allow a 30-minute public comment period. In a memo read by City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio, Mayor Gary Christenson formally submitted his proposed budget, outlining nearly $4.5 million in citywide cuts and the use of $5.2 million in reserves to bridge the budget gap. 

In a presentation leading up to the recent failed Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, city leaders warned of a 15% reduction in non-school staffing, equating to approximately 60 positions across various departments. 

“This proposal begins a difficult, yet necessary process of reducing expenses, one that may need to continue if conditions do not improve,” the mayor wrote, urging collaboration and adding that “this is not a moment for politics.”

The proposed budget eliminates 32 positions; the document, above, offers more details on departments affected.

Union representatives and affected employees spoke. Steven South, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 25, announced the union has filed three labor charges with the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations, accusing the city of ignoring collective bargaining agreements that mandate layoffs be conducted by seniority. South pointed to a 41-year employee who was slated for termination while recent hires were retained.

“Why in the last three months have they hired 22 new hires, including 13 new hires in the last six weeks or so, and now trying to lay off people that have been here for 10, 15, 41, years, and keep all the brand new hires?” South asked the council, urging them to vote the budget down.

Resident Michelle Connelly read a letter on behalf of Shanae Igbinosa, a single mother of two and a police cadet of over three years who received a layoff notice. 

“What makes this especially difficult is knowing that there are newer employees within the police department with less time served who are not being laid off,” Igbinosa wrote.

While some residents like Denise Balboni-Cowie urged the council to “run the city responsibly” and “stop spending money we do not have,” others pointed out that cuts were to be expected. Dave Ball, a member of the Malden Fire Department Local 902, criticized the Teamsters for their lack of support for the override, which failed by 124 votes.

“If the teamsters had sent out a flyer, if they had urged their membership and retirees to vote for the two and a half, maybe we would be in a better situation,” Ball said.

There was no vote or discussion on the budget as the document was submitted just before the meeting convened. Councilor at Large and Finance Committee Chair Carey McDonald assured the public that the council’s 45-day review process of the mayor’s submitted budget is just beginning, with a public hearing scheduled for June 2 and a number of opportunities for residents to share their thoughts. 

“We only have painful and bad choices at this point,” said McDonald. “This is not going to lead to full budget stability, even if we enacted all of this right now, without any further changes, it’s going to take multiple years to bring us into alignment, given the structural forces that we face. So this is what’s before us.”

McDonald recently posted a detailed explanation of the budget process.

Lawsuit update

Beyond the budget, City Solicitor Alicia McNeil provided an update on the city’s ongoing legal battle with Benevolent Botanicals. Reporting on a court hearing held earlier that day, McNeil informed the council that the judge indicated that Benevolent likely does not require a special permit to operate—a significant departure from the city’s zoning stance.

“The court, in a nutshell, said that the city has treated Benevolent unfairly,” said McNeil.

The judge ordered Benevolent to propose a pathway to open its doors by May 8, and the city must respond with its own position by May 20. McNeil noted the judge has directed the city to “work in good faith” to come to a resolution.

There is no new court date, though McNeil said she expects the judge to deliver a clear opinion after she hears from both parties. Councilor Stephen Winslow, an attorney, offered to mediate given that the proposed retail outlet is in his ward.

“I might suggest having someone from the City Council take the lead on reaching out to Benevolent Botanicals and the solicitor’s office to try to resolve something,” said Winslow. “I would be willing to serve that role if that is of interest.”

Infrastructure and federal grants

Rounding out the agenda, the council addressed several National Grid petitions for underground conduit installations. A petition for 1100 Main St., the site of a new car wash, was tabled by Councilor Ryan O’Malley to allow more time to coordinate with the property owner regarding equipment screening and dumpster relocation. However, the council unanimously approved two other petitions, for 204 Main St. and 213 Main St., the site of the former Salvation Army that’s slated to become affordable housing.

Finally, the council officially received the fiscal year 2027 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) budget, which the mayor forwarded directly to the Finance Committee to avoid missing a federal deadline in May. O’Malley expressed hope that the city could increasingly use these federal funds to make capital improvements on public facilities to alleviate strain on the general fund.

This is a summary of the April 28 Committee of the Whole meeting. The full session can be viewed online courtesy of UMA.