Police sign three-year contract

Town Manager Bruce St. Denis and police union representative Dennis Silverio Jr. signed a three-year labor contract Thursday, Sept. 10.

St. Denis sent an e-mail to the Town Commission yesterday, announcing the contract.

The deal, which begins Oct. 1, only gives the officers raises and cost of living allowances if other town employees receive them and keeps their current wages intact.

The town also will leave the pension alone for the officers currently on duty. But in return, the town is taking vacation time and sick time out of an officer’s final compensation package for purposes of calculating a final pension payout. The town also reserves the right to modify the pension plan for new police officers.

The police department’s bargaining unit and the Town Commission must now ratify the contract.

The town’s Fire Rescue Department, meanwhile, is at an impasse with the town over a new contract because firefighters want guaranteed wage and cost of living increases in years two and three of a contract.
The town’s stance with both departments has been to sign contracts that don’t involve spending money.

Because impasse has been declared, a special magistrate will review proposals presented by both sides and make a decision that’s not legally binding.

If neither the town nor the firefighters agree to the magistrate’s ruling, the Town Commission will make a decision on unresolved contract issues.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].