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Council restores $40,000 for police after chief warns cuts would harm staffing and subsidize private events
Summary
After extended debate and a written plea from Police Chief Ruby, South Berwick councilors restored a $40,000 reduction to the police budget by a 4–1 vote, following concerns about staffing, training costs, and the town subsidizing police coverage for some private events.
The South Berwick Town Council voted to restore $40,000 to the town’s FY27 police budget after a plea from Police Chief Ruby and an extended discussion among councilors about staffing levels, overtime and how the town pays for police details at privately organized events.
Chief Ruby told the council the department is "experiencing coverage challenges" and that recent staffing additions require equipment and training expenses that make first‑year hires costlier than salary alone. In written remarks, the chief said the department currently…
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