Mayor John Moak
This is the time of year when one tries to mix business with pleasure, a little earlier start to the day so more of the evening can be enjoyed. Tonight does not work as planned with a City Council and School Committee Meeting scheduled for the same time.
The City Council continues to review the agreement to share health services with Amesbury and Salisbury. We began this idea when we witnessed the success of the joint venture of bidding solid waste and recycling services. When determining how we could share services we looked at Animal Control, Public Nursing Services and Inspections; the two communities of Amesbury and Salisbury looked to Newburyport for managing the inspections and nursing services and Salisbury providing animal control during the day with on call people working nights and weekends. When there is changes advocated, there is always a concern for the effectiveness of a new way of providing services. This joint venture has been well examined by the staffs of the three communities and should work effectively for service and decreasing expenses.
The School Committee will begin to format a committee for the search of a new School Superintendent. The task of this committee will be not only to help identify the best candidate, but to assist the School Committee with ideas for the retention of a superintendent. Presently there are 70 openings throughout Massachusetts for superintendents. This committee along with the School Committee must be proactive in finding a well qualified educator to continue with the improvements that are being made to our school system. There have been very sound curriculum decisions that have been made in the last three years. Our children deserve the best leadership we can recruit, and as importantly, retain for a continuous development of educational practices.
I do hope everyone had an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful weekend.
