DeNapoli Debate Leaves Woburn 'Divided and Wounded,' Alderman Says

Woburn City Council members did not mince words while discussing their disappointment in the struggle for the city to reach a benefits package for Woburn Police Officer Robert DeNapoli, who was injured in the line of duty in September 2011.

The City Council passed an agreement that would have allowed DeNapoli to retire at his current age of 52 and receive 100 percent of the pay he would have received until he is 65. Following that age, he would have received a disability pension equal to 100 percent of his pay for the remainder of his life.

Mayor Scott Galvin vetoed the proposal on Friday, however, and aldermen spent a Monday subcommittee meeting discussing the possibility of bringing the benefits package before Woburn voters.

Aldermen did not hold back when discussing the issue, while DeNapoli and his family members sat in the audience.

“I’m getting sick to my stomach,” said Ward Two Alderman Richard Gately. “To put it out to the voters is fine. I have no objection to that. But it never should have gotten this far. This has wounded the city. We are divided and wounded. The wounds may never heal, just like Mr. DeNapoli’s wounds may never heal. This is shameful, and I can’t buy into this.”

Alderman Raymond Drapeau opened the meeting by proposing the possibility of bringing forward the package the City Council passed to the voters. There would, however, be several obstacles that would need to be hurdled in order to do that.

The vote would have to pass a ballot by 50 percent plus one vote, which the aldermen agreed would likely happen. The issue would come due because one-third of the registered voters in Woburn would have to vote for it, so at least 10-12,000 residents would have to come to the polls. In that scenario, about 8,000 people would need to vote in favor of the benefit package.

“This is a bet that will not be won,” said President Paul Denaro. “To risk a family’s livelihood on this is one hell of a thing to ask people to do.”

Richard Haggerty, Alderman at Large, agreed that bringing the package before the voters is too risky and is too likely to fail.

“The challenge of reaching one-third of the registered voters is virtually impossible, let’s be clear,” said Haggerty. “It’s not fair to put the DeNapoli family through this. I’m disappointed as everyone else that we’ve gotten to this point, but there is a process in place.”

DeNapoli stepped to the microphone and spoke about the challenges he has faced since he was shot, including post traumatic stress disorder. Aldermen wanted to hear his opinion on the idea of bringing the package to a vote, not wanting to put him through the process if he didn’t believe it would be healthy for him.

Aldermen told DeNapoli that they need to know by early September whether they will attempt to get the package placed on the ballot. He told the City Council that he needs more time to learn about the process, and aldermen voted to leave the issue in committee, meaning the topic is still alive and can be acted on at a later date.

“I think I want to hear more about it. I am a guy that likes to get educated on things before I speak. I do have a lot of faith in the community though,” said DeNapoli. “I just hope we can get this resolved. Because this has been going on since November, and I shouldn’t be up here right now.”

Denaro said that he believes the best option is to attempt one final negotiating effort with Galvin rather than attempting to risk bringing the issue to a ballot vote.

“We know we have holes in the boat, and it’s sinking. If it goes to the ballot, it is set up to fail because of the one-third majority needed,” said Denaro. “Enough has been said, and there are enough hurt feelings. There is a family at stake. There are taxpayers at stake. We need to get back to the table and make this work, or it’s over. If we don’t solve this and put it on the ballot, I believe it will fail … We have one more opportunity to negotiate, and I’m willing to take that chance one more time.”

Check back with Woburn Patch later Tuesday to hear more of what Officers DeNapoli had to say during Monday night's meeting.