Millville approves first reading to add two police lieutenants after public debate

The Millville Board of Commissioners voted 4-1 on first reading to add two lieutenant positions in the Millville Police Department, advancing an ordinance that drew public comment and a split among commissioners over cost and timing.

The ordinance (first reading, item 2) was approved by roll call: Commissioner Hewitt (yes), Vice Mayor William Watson (yes), Commissioner Kasabian (yes), Commissioner Sui (no) and Mayor Romanek (yes). The vote moves the measure to a second reading and a final vote at a later meeting.

Supporters, including Vice Mayor Watson, told the commission the positions respond to chronic supervisory gaps in the department and were part of a multi-year staffing plan presented to prior commissions and the police chief. Opponents and multiple public commenters said the city should prioritize hiring more patrol officers and controlling costs before adding management roles.

Resident Angeline Broomhall urged caution, saying, "We don't need 17 bosses when there's only 50 people total," and argued the city's priority should be recruiting and retaining officers rather than expanding supervision. Zoning board chair Tamara Davis told commissioners, "Fiscal responsibility and public safety are not mutually exclusive," and asked that resources be balanced across departments.

Commissioners discussed budget timing and cost estimates. One commissioner said an added lieutenant could cost about $150,000 a year once salary and benefits are included; that estimate was raised as a reason to defer final approval until the municipal budget is clearer. Other commissioners said the new ranks would not necessarily add a net new officer position because promotion to lieutenant could come from existing sergeants, and that the department has sought this change for several years.

The ordinance's first-reading approval means the commission will hold a second reading and another vote before the change becomes final. Commissioners and staff said they expect further public comment at the next meeting and additional financial details to be provided before final adoption.

Details extracted from the meeting transcript were limited to statements on the record: the ordinance text (adding two lieutenants to the Millville Police Department), the roll-call vote on first reading, public-comment excerpts, and commissioners' budget concerns and process comments. No final hiring decisions, salary schedules beyond the cost estimate mentioned in the meeting, or effective dates were approved at first reading.

An additional public hearing and second-reading vote are required before the ordinance becomes binding.