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Committee approves transfers to fund police wage increases, retro pay and new fit‑for‑duty and lateral‑hire provisions
Summary
The Finance Committee approved transfers totaling $1,175,000 for FY27 wage increases and $710,000 for retroactive adjustments tied to newly settled police and other municipal union agreements; the settlement includes a fit‑for‑duty committee and a lateral‑hire credit policy meant to ease recruitment.
The committee voted unanimously to move $1,175,000 into the Newton Police Department budget for FY27 wage increases and to transfer $710,000 for retroactive pay related to recently settled bargaining agreements (dockets 214‑26 and 215‑26).
On behalf of the administration, Miss Lemieux said the city reached an agreement with the Newton Police Association (NPA) covering the 2025–27 contract period and described two notable provisions: creation of a "fit‑for‑duty" committee to develop procedures for identifying and supporting officers who may not be fit for street duty, and a lateral‑hire policy that will allow the chief to credit experience for officers transferring into Newton so they need not start at step one.
"We are thrilled that we have finally jointly and respectfully reached an agreement with them," Miss Lemieux said, noting the NPA represents about 110 rank‑and‑file sworn officers. She said the agreement and similar settlements with engineers, parking control and crossing guards mean the city will have contracts in place through June 30, 2027. The administration explained the retroactive payments are the result of compounding 3% annual increases across multiple unsettled years and gave examples of how retro checks would be calculated and distributed in consultation with unions and payroll.
Counselors asked whether retro pay would be issued in lumps and how former employees are handled; staff said they typically coordinate closely with unions and payroll and that departed employees receive owed amounts for periods they worked. The committee approved the transfers for the police and related groups so the city can cover FY27 wage needs and retro payments.
Staff said they will coordinate timing and payout mechanics with payroll and the unions and will supply additional details as payroll schedules are fixed.
