AMESBURY — As the town embarks on another year of higher taxes and stalled revenues, Mayor Thatcher Kezer told a gathering of nearly 100 residents last night that a better future is taking shape, while receiving a personal pat on the back from the state's chief executive.
Kezer came to Amesbury High School prepared to open the evening with his State of the City address, but an official visit from Gov. Deval Patrick prompted guests and department heads to assemble in the cafeteria, where Patrick chatted with residents and perused the various town projects coming up through the pipeline.
"I've seen a really terrific mayor doing really terrific things," said Patrick following his meet-and-greet with residents and Amesbury municipal workers, speaking of the various projects he anticipates will make life better for Amesbury residents. Patrick was quick to praise Kezer in pushing for those improvements.
"In every one of these (projects), we invest in the project and we invest in the leadership as well," he said. "Amesbury is very well liked."
Patrick, who is running for re-election in November and made a campaign stop in Newburyport before arriving in Amesbury, was in town as governor and not a candidate, an aide said.
"We have to try to more of this," Patrick said. "Money is tight, and we have to be more open."
Kezer shared those sentiments later in his first State of the City address, giving a glimpse of some burgeoning projects that are progressing through Town Hall.
Among them are exploring more opportunities toward regionalization where it makes sense — like with the town's dispatch system, ambulance services and public works agreements, Kezer said.
He said regionalization is one of the ways Amesbury can "grow" out of the current fiscal crisis rather than cutting its way out by stripping the town of vital services.
The problems in Amesbury involve ailing infrastructure, an extraordinary economic downturn, revenue reductions and an increase in service demands in many departments, Kezer said. Police calls are up, and veterans services are "off the charts," he said. Visitors and a demand for services at the library are up, too, which makes it near impossible to think about cutting those services.
Given the flat local aid dollars from the state he's expecting, the town is going to be forced to present a flat budget this year, as will the school district. And since costs continue to rise, it's going to be a tough season, he said.
He said the town has already done much to cut spending, shaving $2 million off the budget last year and cutting the town work force by 10 percent. Residents' taxes have still gone up because revenue streams have been down by 33 percent locally coupled with a 42 percent reduction in state aid, he said.
The only way he sees to alter that trend is to build the commercial tax base — which represents the city's best reason to hope, he said.
The groundwork for projects within the Golden Triangle, and elsewhere, are beginning to bear fruit, he said. Kezer told residents that a very exciting development project could be coming into the Golden Triangle area of town very soon, bringing 100 high-paying jobs in the medical field with it.
A new hotel on Route 110 is currently making its way through the permitting process, and when finished will add $70,000 annually in hotel taxes to Amesbury's bottom line.
A multitude of road projects will be paving the way for additional businesses on Route 110 and in the Lower Millyard, he said. And while those construction projects might plague residents for a time, Kezer said he was prepared to take that criticism.
"We'll be a better Amesbury when those projects are done," he said.
Kezer said those concerned about the town's high taxes can take some solace knowing this year is likely the worst, given the debt service on the middle school and high school debt exemptions are at their a peak.
Next year, those payments will decrease by about $100,000, and by about $750,000 in 10 years when the middle school debt is paid off.
Though talks over high taxes and services are likely to be impassioned this year, Kezer warned residents that only by working together can balance be achieved. Those proposing rash cuts to services will be met by the equally impassioned voices of those who need those services, he said.
"We're not going to be able to achieve one by sacrificing the other," Kezer said.
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