Lakeville police present level-funded budget, cite dispatcher recognition and staffing turnover; request two cruisers

Police Chief Matt Perkins told the finance committee and selectmen on April 10 that the Police Department’s FY26 budget is largely level-funded and that recent increases are driven by contractual obligations and new post‑certification/EMT certification line items.

Perkins said the town recently recognized dispatchers in contract terms and that dispatch work is both stressful and essential. He noted the department trimmed $6,000 from a reserve line that historically funded multiple reserve officers because the department currently has fewer active reserve officers who can be post‑certified.

Perkins described turnover as a continuing issue: he said the department lost officers to state police and neighboring municipalities and that salary competition is a primary factor. He said Lakeville is not the highest‑paying town but not the lowest; the department retains a competitive pool of applicants but background checks and hiring processes can leave vacancies open for months.

On capital needs, Perkins requested funding for two police cruisers with equipment at about $64,000 each. He also discussed the police station irrigation well and landscaping costs, noting the department’s summer water bills spiked when irrigation was used and that a well or irrigation improvements could reduce long-term costs.

Perkins said training and certification costs changed because the police contract created a new line for post certification/EMT certification; training academy costs have risen (MPTC academy fee noted as doubling recently) but the department did not plan to send recruits to the academy in the coming year because it is at full staff.

Why it matters: Staffing levels and vehicle capital purchases are core public‑safety budget items. Turnover and competitive salary pressures affect continuity of service; capital and training costs have increased and drive line‑item pressure in a largely level-funded budget.