The salary was inadequate. But the Mayoral Position raise should have been increased in phases not 26% all at once. The "process" applied by McLaughlin and others was divisive when it happened and the divide continues to grow wider and more poisonous as time goes by. The timing pointed out by others on this string is interesting to evaluate. The Patrick/Murray/Obama opportunities weren't ( and would not become ) a reality and Dolan was told that Reading was likely to promote from within and hire their Deputy Town Manager. He was not invited to interview. So, Mayor Dolan became anxious and acted badly. The other thing to evaluate is the "overwhelming support" claim. I wonder if the support of parents and members of the MEF has declined over the state of crisis and change in the schools again. The old saying is 15 minutes is a long time in politics. It has been a year and a half since the pay raise was approved.

Dolan will be desperate, if a forensic audit of city finances ever becomes a reality as is currently happening in Nahant.

A forensic audit is exactly what is needed. That would set the record straight all the way around, but not one of these fake superficial "audits" by some Dolan hired gun. Stem to stern by an independent would show it all. Follow the money. The path would show how little respect there is for legitimate process, laws, regulations, and also the total lack of competence by so many of those doing the nitty gritty here--from legal to business management (esp the schools guy, who is pathetic). It would also show how many things were always obvious but that local (and state!) officials chose to overlook instead of doing their due diligence according to their oath of office or hired position. One big twisted mess, not the tidy ship that Mr. 26% and his little band of country club foundation Override mommies want us to believe. Tug at one thread and it'll all unravel.

Hilarious. Because something happened in Nahant you conspiracy theorists are bound and determined to tie it back to Dolan. What a joke. This is comical.

That's right Zap.

All you have to do is throw a shiney object into the ring and watch the Melrose Nut-jobs scurry around in all directions looking for leadership and finding nothing.

It's funny, but also a little sad.

People have been suspicious for years about how GTA got so much work in Melrose. What does questioning that have to do with Nahant? As someone else said, it's easy to be the low bidder when you know what the other bids are before you submit yours. Fact - Dolan and the owner of GTA have been friends for years. It's an Everett "connection", not anything to do with the mob. If everything is on the up and up, why worry about an audit?

Audit away; however, make the city unions pay for the audit, not the taxpayers. It is the unions doing most of the whining so make them pay. Most residents are fine with how things are going.

Make the unions pay for any audit? I guess that shows where you're coming from.

Here's the mention of Nahant: "Dolan will be desperate if a forensic audit of city finances ever becomes a reality as is currently happening in Nahant." How do you go from that aside to some kind of conspiracy to get Dolan? If there is any evidence of impropriety, it ought to be investigated and dealt with, regardless of what is or is not going on in Nahant. It's what's going on in Melrose that's important to Melrose.

Because that's their MO - any criticism of King Robbie draws immediate denial from Dolan World, usually consisting of some reference to an organized consipracy by Melrose haters and other assorted nutjobs whose grasp of reality is tenuous. Anybody who dares to disagree with them must be delusional.

People have been suspicious for years about how GTA got so much work in Melrose. How about the work that was done at the middle school? Change in the schools again. The old saying is 15 minutes is a long time in politics.

The city is audited routinely, you are just unhappy with the results. You say the people are suspicious yet the issue of GTA never comes up at BOA meetings or any of the various commission meetings, it only comes up here, where people can anonymously throw grenades. When If the union thugs want another audit, go ahead and pay for one.

Again with the union slam. Why? What do you have against the unions, who have absolutely nothing to do with RFPs, bids, or anything else concerning DPW? I repeat - that shows where you're coming from.

The ongoing routine audit by Powers and Sullivan, which has been going on for more than 10 years, is not a forensic audit. It also has nothing to do with RFPs, bids, or contracts done with private contractors. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about, or you have an agenda, and are deliberately trying to mislead. Which is it?

I'm a union "thug". Post your address and I'll stop by and "discuss" it with you. I'm also ex-military, and actually was well trained in throwing grenades. Nitwit.

Internet tough guy anonymously challenges someone to post their address.

Internet halfwit can't comprehend a sarcastic response to an earlier insult.

Insults, sarcasm, division, small town narcissism......we are melrose.....

Only on this message board...outside in the neighborhoods - politeness, cordiality, and respect, rule the day!

Have you totally taken leave of your senses? When was the last time you were in City Hall? Seems to me you admitted a while back that RD had massive behavior issues. Are you backpedaling?

That's right MFD, you forgot the board policy that you are not allowed to state anything positive about this town in this forum. Retract that nice comment and continue the trash talk, please.

Sorry.....but I don't consider city hall a neighborhood.

If the mayor goes off the school committee the salary should go down 26%. Less taxes to pay so vote yes.

You know you're a dope. Right?