Menino to hire 50 more officers

Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced last night that he plans to hire 50 more police officers, launch an early education program for the city's poorest children, and invest several million dollars in neighborhood projects this year.

The mayor, outlining his agenda for 2007 during his annual State of the City address, said the city planned to remake a park in Dorchester, build a library in Mattapan and a playground in West Roxbury, and begin a $6 million renovation of the Strand Theatre in Dorchester.

Menino, delivering his speech in the once-vibrant theater, appeared to return to his urban mechanic roots. In contrast to announcements in recent months that focused on downtown projects, such as his plans to build the tallest downtown skyscraper and a glittering waterfront City Hall, the mayor yesterday focused on basic city services: public safety, education, and neighborhood revitalization.

"Like every organization, city government must balance its resources between big visions that can redefine the future and core values that meet our mission today," Menino said.

Menino did not put a price tag on all of the initiatives or say where the money to pay for each of them would come from.

He said he hopes the new patrol officers will increase police visibility in neighborhoods where crime has skyrocketed in recent years. The addition of 50 more officers would bring the total number of officers to 2,244, the highest level since 2001.

Under the Smart from the Start program the mayor announced last night, the city will target 3,800 of the city's poorest children under 5 years old for learning programs. Smart From The Start, initially funded with a $1 million grant, will also include English and child-care classes at neighborhood community centers for parents and caregivers.

"Our responsibility to the children of this city cannot begin and end with the school bell," Menino said.

The program is scheduled to begin this year with pilot classes at three as-yet-undetermined locations. The mayor said he hopes to eliminate achievement gaps between racial and ethnic groups in city schools.

Investments in city neighborhoods will include installing all-season turf in Ceylon Park in Dorchester, a public space the mayor said is used by thousands during the summer for cookouts and soccer games.

The mayor also outlined plans to construct a new playground at Hynes Field in West Roxbury and break ground for a new library in Mattapan.

He did not say how much the projects would cost, but said money would come from the city's capital budget.

The city took over operation of Dorchester's Strand Theatre in 2004. The city's planned renovation of the site will include creation of a backstage area with dressing rooms so the theater can accommodate bigger-name shows, officials said.

"Citywide, we are improving the places that put the life in city life," Menino said.

Funding for the initiatives -- particularly new police officers, which could mean several million dollars in additional annual spending -- could require more generous financial aid from the state, said Samuel Tyler, head of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, a business-funded city watchdog.

For several years, the city has had to absorb significant cuts in state aid. The new administration of Governor Deval Patrick has signaled it wants to provide more funding to cities and towns, but it also faces a tight budget.

The mayor took a moment during his speech to tell Patrick, who was in the audience, that he looked forward to working with him to "craft a new revenue model" that would decrease the pressure on Boston property tax payers, who have endured double-digit percentage increases for several years in a row.

Every year since 2002, the mayor has asked the Legislature to allow Boston to assess a 1 percent meals tax on diners in restaurants, but every year the measure has failed.

"Cities and towns need revenue diversification to address all the issues we face," Menino said.

Tyler said the city can afford the construction projects Menino has planned. But without additional state support, the city may be forced to cut back in other areas to fund more police officers while maintaining current services.

Now in his fourth term, the mayor has battled the predictions of some critics that his administration would stagnate after so many years in power and last night was no exception.

Several times during his speech he spoke about his energy and passion for running the city. He said several hires in recent months have provided fresh ideas and energy, including the city's new police and fire commissioners.

"We all know that the road to realizing Boston's great promise is not without obstacles," he said. "But today, more than ever before, our momentum is great."

Donovan Slack can be reached at dslack@globe.com.