|
|
The program is designed to supplement the police force, Police Chief Richard C. Mulhall said.
The department currently has 51 officers, so if the grant is received for three officers, the town would have to maintain a level of 54 officers for the four years, Mulhall said.
Mulhall said the number comes close to a study that recommended a force of 56 officers for the town.
"I think we've demonstrated over time that we are short staffed a little bit," Mulhall said.
While some town councilors said they were under the impression that the department's current numbers were about right, the council recently unanimously voted to pursue the grant.
The cost for each officer's salary, benefits, equipment, clothing and other items in approximately $100,000. The town would have to pick up the approximate $300,000 in costs for the fourth year.
However, officials said the savings in overtime should largely offset much of those costs.
"We believe the savings for the three years will help pay for the fourth year," said council minority leader Thomas Bowen.
Mayor Jeff Wright agreed the effort will benefit the town.
"It's a fantastic deal for the town of Newington," Wright said.
Town Manager John Salomone said it should reduce overtime by at least $50,000 per year but some councilors feel that the savings should be greater.
That's been a budgetary item the town has been looking at and has come up at numerous Town Council meetings.
Mulhall said progress has been made and it continues to get better now that the department is up to its full budgeted staffing levels. Two officers recently came on to active duty.
While $580,000 was budgeted in overtime for next year that is down significantly from the more than $1 million a few years ago, Mulhall said.
The bid is competitive and the U.S. Department of Justice has until Sept. 30 to notify the town.
"I think we have a decent shot at it," Salomone said.
The council also authorized Salomone to accept $24,080 in Justice Assistance Grant funding for a patrol vehicle and related lighting equipment. The grant, also under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, makes up for a cruiser purchase that was cut from the town's budget for next fiscal year.
