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Police budget shows staffing gap but no new sworn positions; Axon contract carries recurring cost
Summary
Chief Mellatus told the finance subcommittee the police department is budgeted for 79 sworn officers (currently 75) and that most of a roughly 11% budget increase is from negotiated collective-bargaining settlements; the Axon body-camera/taser/cloud contract carries a recurring obligation of roughly $265,000 with a partial grant offset.
Chief Mellatus briefed the finance subcommittee on the police department—s FY2027 budget, describing current staffing levels and contract-driven cost pressures.
"Right now, we're budgeted for 79 sworn police officers... At the current staffing levels we are down to 75 sworn," Chief Mellatus said, and noted that recruits at the Randolph Police Academy and a later class at Marlboro could return staffing to the budgeted level later in the year.
Councilors and the chief discussed budget drivers: the chief said the bulk of the increase in the police budget is due to collective bargaining and salary commitments rather than new positions. He also described a robust civilian traffic/detail program that uses retirees and is funded through an agency fund that bills outside contractors, so that some detail work does not hit the general fund as overtime.
Councilors asked about body-worn camera and associated cloud storage costs. The chief said the Axon contract (cameras, tasers and cloud storage) carries a recurring obligation currently estimated at approximately $265,000 per year; the department secured a grant to offset part of that cost (about $130,000), leaving an estimated balance in the $193,000 range if grant funding continues.
The subcommittee raised questions about training, civilian positions and outreach programs (outreach officer and domestic violence advocate) and confirmed those staffing lines remain in place. No vote was taken at this meeting; the items will be part of the formal review at the public hearing.
