WOBURN - Opinions from aldermen on whether a new resource officer should be hired at Woburn High ran the gamut from enthusiasm to caution at the most recent City Council meeting.

Ward 3 Alderman Scott Galvin said he would like the city to consider hiring an in-house candidate rather than adding a new salaried position to the rolls, while Ward 2 Alderman Richard Gately opined that one resource officer may not be enough to do the job.

"I'd like to see something more; maybe two, maybe three, with a $60 million-plus facility," said Gately. "They (students) should be able to go into that building safely."

Galvin countered that an officer already on the Woburn Police Department's roster can be recruited to fill the resource officer's role.

"There's a need, but before we create a new position ... we should be looking from within," said Galvin.

The councilors' comments came as School Committee member Denis Russell updated the council about what's going on in the Woburn school system, the first of what City Council President Charles Doherty said would be quarterly presentations to the aldermen.

"We want to establish a better relationship with the School Committee," said Doherty.

Resource officer

On at least four occasions this fall, the School Committee has formally advocated the installation of a resource officer at the new high school, which was opened in September.

The officer would be involved in school security issues. While the new building has enhanced security features, there have been some unpleasant incidents, including an ugly brawl on Sept. 12 that resulted in the arrests of six students.

Russell noted the School Committee would not select the resource officer, but rather there would be a meeting of city officials, including the police chief, the mayor, members of the council, along with the School Superintendent and Woburn High principal, to discuss the position.

"It's not the School Committee's authority," said Russell. "We don't even know when that meeting will take place."

Gately noted the importance of school security issues. He said he was chagrined when it was pointed out to him during the mayor's annual Senior Appreciation Dinner that a toilet seat in one of the restrooms was broken.

"We can't have that happen," said Gately. "It's a big facility. There are a lot of kids and a lot of area to cover. I don't think one person can do it."

Galvin said the idea of a school resource officer is well-intentioned, but didn't want to see the city's finances spent on items that may turn out to be unnecessary.

"It's like the (police traffic) detail issue at the high school," said Galvin. "It was a good idea for the first couple of weeks, but at some point it's become a waste.

"It really burns me up to see a detail there four times a day," added Galvin. "The money for that is an absolute waste. You can get (an officer who is already) on duty to direct traffic for a half-hour."

Ward 4 Alderman James Dwyer noted that in spite of certain episodes the security at the new building - which includes cameras - makes for a much safer situation for students. He praised staff and administrators for their quick response to the fight on Sept. 12.

Russell noted that sometimes "things that happen at school are an overflow of weekend events," and the School Department is actively "working to diffuse (them) before they happen."

Other issues

Russell presented each council member with a brick from the old high school, the demolition of which was completed earlier this month.

Each brick came with a certificate of authenticity signed Mayor Thomas McLaughlin, Supt. of Schools Dr. Carl Batchelder and Woburn Memorial High School Principal Norton.

The bricks were culled from the front entrance to the 100-year-old building, then scrubbed with acid and affixed with a brass plate.

City Clerk William Campbell did some research and with help from Carmen Russo of Woburn Concrete discovered the bricks were manufactured by WGB Co. of Ohio, which Russell noted has been out-of-business "for a number of years."

The bricks are "something we wanted you to have as a keepsake," said Russell.

Phase 2 of the high school - construction of the parking areas - should be finished by the end of the calendar year, while Phase 3 - the new sports stadium - will be completed no later than next December, though officials are hopeful the annual Thanksgiving Day game against Winchester will be held there.

On an unfortunate note, Russell noted the pigeons who called the old high school home have decided to relocate to the new building, and the School Department is in the process of finding a humane way to urge the birds to "find someplace else, maybe in a neighboring town," Russell joked.

He also thanked the council for funding "much-needed capital improvements," including the installation of new windows at the Altavesta Elementary School in North Woburn.

The School Building Committee formally filed a "statement of interest" in obtaining funds through the state's school reimbursement plan, giving the city the option to consider renovating, consolidating or relocating six elementary schools - Altavesta, Linscott, Goodyear, Wyman, Hurld and Clapp.

Due to the unseasonably warm weather, the "oil men have kind of been at an arm's length," so far, Russell said. He noted an $8,000 deficit in the department's summer school program was for additional staff to accommodate the out-of-district needs of a student on an Individual Education Program (IEP).

The Personnel Subcommittee is negotiating with the cafeteria workers and assistant principals unions, and reviewing contracts for central office administrators.

Contract talks with the teachers union will begin in January, Russell said.