WATERTOWN — A debate over the city’s $42.7 million budget sparked fireworks on Monday night when Councilman Mark C. Walczyk wanted to take some additional time to ask questions and make changes before the financial plan was adopted.
The freshman councilman missed the brunt of the budget deliberations this spring because he was away on annual training for the military reserve, just returning on Saturday.
During the 30-minute heated debate, Councilman Walczyk had hoped to suggest changes to cut spending and help keep taxes down.
But three of his colleagues — Mayor Joseph M. Butler and City Council members Teresa R. Macaluso and Stephen A. Jennings — weren’t having any of it. They told him that they were going to vote for the budget without considering any of his changes.
While asking a series of questions about City Hall’s workforce, Councilman Jennings interrupted the councilman, stopping him mid-sentence.
“Why don’t you do your homework before the meeting and not waste everybody’s time?” he said.
In the end, the budget — that carries a nearly 3.6 percent property tax rate increase — was adopted, with council members Cody J. Horbacz and Walczyk casting no votes.
During several heated exchanges, Mayor Butler and council members Jennings and Macaluso argued that they worked hard on the budget and it should not be changed, just because Councilman Walczyk had to miss most of the budget sessions.
A few minutes later, Councilman Walczyk then reminded them that he was away and was “playing catchup” on what ended up in the budget and why. But Councilman Jennings again cut him off, calling for the question.
“I would have loved to have been here,” Councilman Walczyk said.
“And we would have loved for you to be there,” Mayor Butler responded.
During the ongoing debate, Councilman Walczyk tried several more times to get his point across but to no avail. Each time, Councilman Jennings chimed in, and the three did not allow him to continue.
“You’re monopolizing the floor,” Mayor Butler said, adding that his colleague was “putting on a show.”
At one point, Ms. Macaluso said she understood that his military service called Councilman Walczyk away but he had time before he left and on Monday to ask city staff his questions.
“We spent a lot of time on this budget. We were here night after night after night...,” she continued. “I will not allow you to undo all of this work.”
Before he left in early June, Councilman Walczyk said he was shooting for the budget to be under the state’s 1.64 percent tax cap. However, council members decided during the budget deliberations to override the tax cap this year.
On Monday night, he asked why the council decided to appropriate $50,000 for a Bobcat that will be used to help snow removal around Public Square. He also questioned the need for $2,000 in audio/visual equipment for council chambers and spending $1,500 for training and travel for both the mayor and council members.
While he was away, the City Council decided not to spend $2 million to $3 million to either replace or restore the now-defunct pool and renovate the bathhouse, despite the support of councilmen Walczyk and Horbacz.
After the budget debate, Councilman Horbacz said he “was disappointed” with thow his colleague was treated, adding that Councilman Walczyk should have had a chance to ask his questions.
Councilman Walczyk also said later that he was disappointed.
“I know they worked hard and I appreciate that, but the council missed some opportunities to cut spending, ultimately saving the taxpayer,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Councilman Walczyk and Mayor Butler were observed at a ribbon-cutting ceremony talking about his plans for the budget. Councilman Walczyk had hoped that he would be allowed to delay the start of the 7 p.m. regular council meeting, so he could have time to make his recommendations during the final budget session earlier in the night. Council had to vote on the budget before the 7 p.m. meeting, by city charter.
The mayor was braced for some lively discussion, he said afterward.
“It was to be expected,” he said.
In the end, Mayor Butler was satisfied with the adopted budget, adding that the city was faced with a $1 million increase — a 14.45 percent jump — in the cost of the city’s self-funded health insurance plan.
The tax rate was set at $8.51, up from $8.22 per $1,000 of assessed value. That equates to about a $30 increase on a property assessed at $100,000.
The city is spending an estimated $42.7 million for the general fund in the coming fiscal year, up from the $41.9 million budgeted this year.
The proposed spending plan had a 4.5 percent property tax rate before council members made a series of amendments during the past month.