Three New Positions in Barrington?

The town manager wants to get the conversation started on adding several new positions in Barrington.

Peter DeAngelis Jr. mentions the positions of Police Resource Officer, Police Accreditation Officer and Director of Technology in the message that accompanies his proposed municipal budget for next year.

He describes them as “new positions considered but not included.” That doesn’t mean DeAngelis has rejected the positions. Just the opposite, in fact.

“It’s a starting point,” he said. “I introduced them as alternatives that are worthy of additional discussion” as the town tries to expand and improve services. 

DeAngelis said the three posts are being considered for the first time because “this is the way business is done today.” 

Obviously, he said, the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., has many people talking about improving school safety. In Barrington, Police Chief John LaCross has been recommending a resource officer at the high school for several years, DeAngelis said.

“He sees it as a way to improve the image of police officers in Barrington,” he said, “while improving school safety at the same time.”

The cost for the police resource officer is estimated at $103,347 for salary and benefits. DeAngeis sees the cost pro-rated between the school and municipal budgets.

A police accreditation officer would be designated from among the current patrol staff and then a new patrol position would be added. The former would assist with detective caseloads and oversee development and implementation of polices and procedures. The cost for an entry level police officer would be approximately $85,000 in salary and benefits. 

A director of technology would assume responsibilities that are handled now by Finance Director and Tax Collector Dean Huff, said DeAngelis.  He does not see this as satisfactory down the road.

Other options for IT services would be to “buy hours from the school department, which employs an IT staff,” said DeAngelis, “or contract for services from an outside vendor.”

But there are functions within town government that simply can’t be done without a full-time technology director, the town manager said. He did not list the cost of such a position in the proposed budget.

What do you think about adding new positions in Barrington? Use the comment box below.