DeNapoli Negotiations Remain 'Dead in the Water'

It’s been about two months since the latest failed negotiations involving Mayor Scott Galvin, City Council and injured Woburn Police Officer Robert DeNapoli, and according to aldermen there has been no progress made since that time.

City Council has approved multiple proposed packages that would give DeNapoli 100 percent of his pension, but Galvin has subsequently vetoed each proposal. Galvin said in the past that he is comfortable with a package that provides DeNapoli 80 percent of his pay after the age of 65.

In September, the issue was sent to the City Council’s Liaison Committee, so it can potentially be discussed at a later date. However, nothing has changed to bring the issue back before City Council.

“We’re going to have to readdress it,” said Alderman Dick Gately. “Nothing has come down since the last package. It’s basically dead in the water until the mayor comes up with a better package.”

Alderman Michael Raymond said he has not changed his stance in support of DeNapoli. He also said that as far as he is concerned, the package remains open for negotiations.

“I think because it’s still in committee right now, I’m hopeful there’s a chance it could be negotiated,” said Raymond. “I’m not speaking for other City Council members, or for (DeNapoli), but my opinion is it’s still open for negotiation. I told Bob from the beginning that I would back him 100 percent on what he wants to do. As far as I’m concerned, what we do is based on what he thinks would be the right thing to do.”

Mayor Galvin did not respond to an inquiry for Patch on whether he foresees negotiations resuming any time in the near future.

DeNapoli was injured responding to a September 6, 2011 robbery of a jewelry store in Woburn's Four Corners. He was shot six times and as a result lost sight in one eye and doctor's needed to remove his trigger finger. He also still has shrapnel in his body, and said in a recent address to City Council that he struggles with PTSD. DeNapoli retired from the force in November of 2012 after over a year of physical therapy. 

The possibility of bringing the package before the voters of Woburn was discussed by alderman several months ago, but nothing came of the idea as it would have required a massive voter turnout to pass at the ballot box. 

“There’s not much we can do,” said Gately. “The last package the mayor sent down, we rejected it for a reason. By putting it in liaison, we kept the door open to see if he would come down with something. I Have not personally spoken to (Galvin) about it. I know the election took up a lot of everyone’s time, but this is something we have to take care of soon.”