A not-so-merry time in Lawrence: city employees are laid off

By Russell Contreras, Globe Staff

Forty full-time and temporary Lawrence city employees were handed pink slips today in an effort to close a $2.3 million deficit, the city of Lawrence announced.

Twenty more layoffs are planned for Friday, said Frank Bonet, the city's director of personnel.

"I feel for these employees. This is the most depressing time of the year for this to happen," said Bonet. "But we have no choice."

Bonet blamed the layoffs on city councilors who failed to raise water rates last week and who also stalled for three months this summer on approving Mayor Michael J. Sullivan's $222 million budget.

But City Council President Patrick Blanchette said Sullivan is to blame for the deficit.

"This is a result of a history of mismanagement by this administration. This could have been avoided," said Blanchette. "Mayor Sullivan is basically saying to these workers, 'Merry Christmas, you're fired.'"

Sullivan could not be reached for comment.

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