Adams Police Ask for Cruiser Funds
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At a budget hearing Wednesday night, the Selectmen (minus Chairman Joseph R. Dean Jr., who abstains from police matters because his son is an officer) voted to recommend a $1,630,683 personal services budget for the Police Department, an operating budget of $68,400 and $50,000 for two new fully-equipped police vehicles.
"We need to replace two cars that badly need it. Both of them have more than 140,000 miles on them and we didn't buy a new one last year," said Chief Donald Poirot at the budget hearing.
Selectman Donald R. Sommer requested that Poirot provide a full list of the vehicles the department uses, their mileage and their conditions, before the board voted on the request. However, following a discussion in which Poirot showed photos of the cars to be replaced, the Selectmen voted 2-1 to approve the budget for new vehicles. Sommer opposed.
"It's not that I don't want to give them the money. I just want to be informed before we vote," said Sommer, a former chairman of the town's Finance Committee.
Poirot noted that a new fully-equipped cruiser would cost between $35,000 and $37,000, but he only requested $25,000 from the town for each car, saying he could use other funding to make up the difference.
The Selectmen voted unanimously to approve the rest of the Police Department's budget, as well as funds for the animal control officer, the parking clerk (which is a collaboration of Haley Meczywor, the town administrator's administrative assistant and the Police Department) and for hazardous waste removal.
During the hearing, Poirot fielded questions about the three vacancies on the town's force and the efficacy of the so-called Quinn bill (an incentive program that encourages officers to earn degrees in criminal justice and law enforcement).
"Is it beneficial for me to have educated people working for me? Yes," said Poirot.
Department of Public Works
The budget hearing also included a summary of the Department of Public Works' budget for fiscal 2009. While the Selectmen voted unanimously to recommend the budgets for the landfill, snow and ice control, the Highway Department and waste-water collection with little discussion, it was the tree wardens' $25,000 line item that caused a stir.
"I think we should set up a 5- to 10-year plan for planting trees in the town," said Sommer. "Trees make a town."
Town Administrator William Ketcham said the town had plans to plant more trees along Summer Street through its revitalization efforts and Selectman Edward MacDonald disagreed with Sommer's wish for more downtown flora.
"There's enough trees here. It's not like it's blacktop heaven," MacDonald said. "They're more of a hazard. They can knock down power lines or get overgrown."
"It's like a puppy. You bring it home and it's beautiful but then it gets big and it causes problems," he added.
Selectman Joseph Solomon, in an attempt to solve the problem, quipped, "How about a bush? Is that a happy medium?"
The next budget hearing is set for Feb. 25. The finalized budget will be sent to the Finance Committee for review; town meeting members will have the final approval.
In other business, the Selectmen:
