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Malden's public services are at risk

If the override fails, the City will need to close a budget gap of $8 million or more. The City is already working to reduce costs, such as by moving City health insurance to a state plan but that won't be enough. Deep cuts - up to 60 layoffs - would be necessary to fill such a large budget gap. Because the school budget minimum is set by the state, those cuts would be concentrated across police, fire, library, DPW, and general government - about 15% cut across those areas. That would mean losing 15 police officers, 15 firefighters, 9 DPW workers, 3 librarians, and 18 general government workers. These cuts would effect every Malden resident.

Ken Guiel, firefighter

Without an override...

We could lose fifteen firefighters and the capacity to operate one of our fire engines. Our department is already understaffed, with 108 people to serve a city of almost 70,000.

- Ken Guiel, Union President, Malden Firefighters Local 902

Cait Quinn, librarian

If the override fails...

We could lose three librarians, risking weekend, evening, and children's room hours. We could also lose state funding if our staff levels drop below current levels.

- Cait Quinn, Union President, Malden Public Library, Local 3945

Police

School resource officers and the traffic safety unit could be cut to preserve minimum patrol levels

fire

Longer response times and one less fire engine would make firefighters and the public less safe

public works

Losing 9 workers would make our streets, sidewalks, and parks harder to maintain

library

Weekend and evening hours would be at risk, along with hours for the children's room

general government

Senior Center, Teen Center, Rec Dept, and City Hall services would be reduced

schools

Cuts to City-run after school programs, building maintenance, and IT hurt students and families