Mayor To Release Budget on City Website This Morning

Mayor Gary Christenson will present his 2013 budget to taxpayers at 10 a.m. on the city's website this morning, but released an executive summary to the press late Tuesday night.

The 4-page summary details a number of proposals for the balanced $152,805,300 budget, a 5 percent increase the mayor notes represents less than a 1 percent increase outside of the school department budget.

A combined 20 positions are restructured or consolidated under the plan, including 'several layoffs,' a shift of positions to the city's Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund and some open positions that would no longer be funded.

Other proposals include a 10 percent increase for the city's Veterans' Services Department, an upgrade of radios and bulletproof vests for Malden Police Officers and the establishment of a recreation department at city hall.

The budget also proposes to do away with service fees paid by residents who pay their bills online.

For more information, visit the city's website after 10 a.m. Wednesday.