Select Board approves payout of police education incentive to interim chief after town discussion

The Hamlin Select Board on Monday approved paying the town’s interim police chief a lump-sum education incentive as part of his retirement buyout, following a lengthy discussion of past practice and contract language. The board voted in favor after members and the chief described how previous payouts had been handled and how the current contracts reference the education or career incentive.The interim chief told the board he expected the payout because prior chiefs received similar treatment; he said his buyout included the education incentive and that he had budgeted for the payment. Board members questioned timing and precedent: whether Quinn Bill (police education incentive) or the career incentive payments are prorated or paid at termination versus in July as part of annual payments. The chief recounted examples in which departing officers and previous chiefs received payouts before July.The chair asked about the monetary scale; the chief said the amount under consideration for a payout covering September through June would be “around $22,000,” and that the annual amount for the full year is approximately $25,000. After brief discussion, a motion to approve the payout passed on a voice vote. The Select Board said specifics of the payout will be implemented through normal payroll and personnel procedures and noted the payment has precedent in prior administrations.