Budget Committee approves public safety budgets; law enforcement line passes 3–1 after questions

The Vinalhaven Budget Committee approved multiple public safety budget items at its Feb. 11 meeting, but spent the most time on law enforcement costs and the allocation of related revenue.

Committee members unanimously approved the Fire Department, Ambulance service, Public Safety Building utilities and Debt Service items after brief discussion. The Fire Department review noted long-term staffing could become a problem and that total Fire wages include a $10,000 stipend intended to cover ambulance duties. The Ambulance item noted calls are down for an unexplained reason, that higher shift pay for standby has helped with volunteer staffing, and the committee favored replacing a complex standby calculation with a flat $50 payment. The Public Safety Building utilities line appeared low year to date, but the minutes say some bills had not yet been received or paid.

The most substantial discussion concerned the law enforcement budget. The minutes say there is no new contract yet this year and that base pay and health insurance have been handled by the county; current budget estimates are based on those county provisions. The committee recorded a definition of overtime as a minimum three-hour pay when officers are called out rather than already on shift. Marjorie Stratton was asked to review historical annual overtime expenditures and to forward an accounting of law enforcement revenue; the minutes state that the revenue currently goes to the county rather than to the town, and committee members questioned whether that allocation must remain in place. Margret Qualey requested the group consider revisiting the housing stipend in a future budget review. After discussion, the law enforcement budget item was approved with three votes in favor and one opposed.

Banner Moffat moved approval of each of the presented budget items and Eric Davis seconded the motions where recorded. Andrea Hogan seconded the Debt Service motion. Where tallies were recorded, votes were unanimous except for the law enforcement line, which passed 3–1. The committee adjourned at 5:25 p.m. and set its next meeting for Feb. 18 at 4:00 p.m.

Details requiring follow-up include Marjorie Stratton’s pending review of overtime history and the requested accounting showing law enforcement revenue flow to the county; committee members flagged the revenue allocation for further consideration.