City Council May Grant Top Official 5-Year Term

The Cambridge City Council last night moved closer to virtually guaranteeing the city's top official, who currently serves at the pleasure of the council, a five-year term in office.

The council voted last night to hold a public hearing on whether or not to award City Manager Robert W. Healy a five-year contract. A public hearing is usually the first step in the council's decision-making process.

Healy is responsible for carrying out council ordinances and administering the day-to-day affairs of the city. He has worked without a contract since the mid-'70s, when he was originally hired.

The new plan, which was recommended to the council by the Committee on Public Safety, met with skepticism from some city councilors.

"Serious Doubts"

Councilor David E. Sullivan said he had "serious doubts" about the proposed contract, which would dictate that the city continue to pay him a $70,000 annual salary even if the council fires him. The council would need a two-thirds vote to dismiss Sullivan, according to the contract.

Volatile Politics

Cambridge city politics has in recent years been the scene of volatile contests between the liberal Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) and the conservative Independents, each of which now backs four of the nine councilors. With a guaranteed long term in office, some councilors fear that Healy may jettison the neutrality he has generally demonstrated towards partisan disputes.

Security

Councilor Alfred E. Vellucci, who is not aligned with either group, proposed the contract to give Healy job security, he said last night. Several other cities have reportedly offered the city manager jobs.

Healey could not be reached for comment last night.

$300,000

Councilor Alice K. Wolf also expressed hope the council would reject the contract.

"I think it's very reasonable to have a contract," she said, but added she felt the term of the proposed contract was too long.

"If next year the council decides to fire him, $300,000 to buy out the contract [would not be] a reasonable amount," Wolf added.

Both Wolf and Sullivan are members of the CCA.

Bikes on the T

The council approved a plan that will for the first time allow MBTA passengers to bring their bicycles on to the subway.

Under a six-month plot program, which will become effective as soon as the MBTA can set it up riders will be able to take the bikes with them on weekends only after obtaining 53 permits.