DALTON, Mass. — The Finance Committee approved an amended version of the Police Department budget.

 

The amended budget of $1,664,924 is $14,564 less than what was originally requested. This is still an increase of $129,668 increase from this year.

 

The budget is made up of $191,338 in expenses and $1,473,586 in salaries. 

 

The department initially proposed a budget of $1,679,488, a $144,232 or 9.39 percent, increase mainly caused by salary increases.

 

Police Chief Deanna Strout emphasized that the increases within the budget are mostly contractual.  

 

Finance Committee chair William Drosehn said if "we all kind of tightened our belts even further," the budget could be cut by $15,000 or $20,000. 

 

However, he stressed that if more funds are needed, reserve fund transfer requests can be made if the need arises.