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Police Panel Seeks 3.5 Percent Hike In Proposed Budget

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Police Panel Seeks 3.5 Percent Hike In Proposed Budget

By Andrew Gorosko

The Police Commission has endorsed seeking a $4.2 million police budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, reflecting a 3.5 percent spending increase compared to the budget funding approved by the town for the current fiscal year.

The current overall town budget, including government and education spending, which was approved by voters last June, is approximately $104 million.

The proposed police spending plan for fiscal 2011-12, which was recently approved by Police Commission members, is $4,208,298, reflecting a $142,049 spending increase over the current budget of $4,066,249.

The largest single increase in the proposed police budget is in the area of contractual compensation for sworn police officers. That category is proposed at $3,163,476, representing a $104,931 increase over the current amount of $3,058,545 in that category.

In the past, the police department had spending authorization for up to 47 sworn police officers. The town currently provides funds for up to 46 officers. In the 2011-12 budget proposal, the Police Commission is seeking funding to restore a roster of 47 officers.

After reviewing the overall spending proposal, Police Commission members opted to include $30,600 in the spending request for certain capital items. These requests include $15,000 for traffic studies and $15,600 toward the purchase of new video cameras for police patrol cars.

The Police Commission serves as the local traffic authority, and when needed, conducts traffic studies as part of its work.

The dashboard-mounted video cameras, which are present in some police patrol cars, are used to record the view through the police car’s front windshield when police stop motor vehicles while on patrol. The cameras create a visual record that may be used as evidence in police investigations or in litigation situations.

In commentary by Police Chief Michael Kehoe that accompanies the 2011-12 budget proposal, the chief explains aspects of the proposed spending plan.

Chief Kehoe notes that the various police budget line items that cover sworn police personnel costs represent about 89 percent of the overall police budget.

Based on past budgetary decisions, the police department is requesting the replacement of four police cars, he explains. “Internal policy controls on replacing vehicles make this request extremely important and necessary,” the police chief states.

In explaining the police department’s goals for the 2011-12 fiscal year, Chief Kehoe said police seek to maintain the level of services that they have provided to the public in the past.

The police budget proposal will be reviewed by the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, and the Legislative Council in the coming months. Voters at referendum this spring would act on the budget proposal.

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