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BET approves police budget transfers: E911 fund overtime and distracted‑driving grant shifts
Summary
The committee approved PD7, a request to use $85,685.46 from the state E911 fund to cover dispatcher overtime from staffing shortages, and PD8, a $19,224.32 distracted‑driving enforcement grant to cover overtime enforcement shifts; both measures passed on routine voice votes.
The BET Budget Committee approved two police budget adjustments during its meeting.
PD7: The committee voted to transfer $85,685.46 from the town’s E911 fund to cover overtime in the dispatch center caused by a staffing shortage. Captain Pat Smi (in charge of operations/dispatch) told the committee the department has been short "approximately five dispatchers," increasing overtime costs while the department hires and trains new staff. "We are making that improvement. We've already hired two; there are two in training," Captain Smi said, and the request is intended to cover overtime until staffing stabilizes.
PD8: Committee members also approved the use of $19,224.32 from a distracted‑driving enforcement grant to fund overtime enforcement shifts. The presenter said the grant is 100% state‑funded and covers overtime for targeted enforcement (cellphone use, unsafe behaviors while driving). "It can cover a lot of things — it can include eating, it can include animals on laps — anything that demonstrates distracted driving," a presenter said in discussion.
Both items were recommended as routine and passed by voice vote; no matching town funds were required for PD8 because the grant covers full cost. The finance staff will implement the approved transfers.
