Town Meeting Approves Staffing Bump for Police, Fire Departments

STOUGHTON, MA — The public safety departments are about to get the boost they requested from the town.

Thursday night, town meeting members approved the fiscal year 2018 town budget 90-19-1. The total comes in at $95.1 million.

The fire department, which has lobbied for an increase in staff, will receive funding for four more firefighters. The police department will also receive funds for four new members, two more than what was recommended by the finance committee.

The motion to increase the number of officers came from Selectman Peter Brown, who said there are currently 39 patrolmen on duty in Stoughton. There are five officers that will join the department following their graduation from the Boston Police Academy in June and two more in September. In addition to two more endorsed by the finance committee, Brown moved to add $26,000 to the budget for two more officers who would start work in March. The extra funds would cover the two salaries through the remainder of the fiscal year.

When all the officers start working, it will bring the department's stable of patrolman to 50.

"I think it's time we start funding the police department to adequate numbers. We haven't gained any number over the last few years. All we've done is replace people who've left," Brown said.

Edward Trunfio, the chairman of the finance committee, said the cost of the two officers would cost $130-140,000 once they are included in the budget for a full year.

"We can't keep throwing the bodies, the budget can't support it. You hate to hire someone this year and fire them the next year," Trunfio said.

The motion to add the salaries to the budget was approved 90-31-2.

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