Approved 2015 Municipal Budget Increases Number of Police Officers To 26

Three more police officers will be hired as part of the borough’s 2015 $18.2 million budget.

The town committee approved the budget 4-1 last night; Committeeman Brian Scanlan cast the lone dissenting vote.

The average homeowner will pay $68 more in municipal taxes this year due to a $12.6-million tax levy. The average tax bill is $1,870.

“We are being fiscally responsible,” said Mayor Kevin Rooney. Rooney was chairman of the Finance Committee that created the budget. “It limits spending, but still allows us to offer services this town requires.”

Of the $18.2 million, $6.1 million funds municipal employees’ salaries and wages.

Hiring three new officers increases the number of police officers to 26. The last time the department was that large was in 2008 before three officers retired.

Rooney said he sees adding three new police officers as a “benefit to the town.” The move allows the department’s D.A.R.E. program to continue, creates a traffic bureau, and reduces the amount of overtime hours officers will allegedly file compared to now.