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Charlemont police chief warns staffing rules threaten local department
Summary
Police Chief Jason Pelletier told the Select Board that a state requirement for a six‑month full‑time academy and associated tuition are making recruitment difficult and urged pay increases to retain officers; he proposed paying two officers $60,000 and the chief $100,000.
Charlemont Police Chief Jason Pelletier told the Select Board on July 21 that new training requirements and competition from neighboring towns are creating an urgent staffing challenge for the town’s police department.
Pelletier said the state’s decision to require a six‑month full‑time police academy — effectively ending part‑time/bridge academy routes — and the roughly $6,500 tuition have reduced the pool of available officers and increased headhunting by other departments. “If things don’t change, there will not be a local police department for much longer,” Pelletier said.
The chief presented the department’s FY25 budget of $128,532 and broke it down into roughly $26,800 for non‑salary expenses (radios, CJIS/IMC records management) and about $100,000 for salaries. Pelletier noted Charlemont’s hourly rate of $23.52 compares poorly with nearby towns — he cited Shelburne and Rowe as examples — and recommended incremental pay increases to improve recruitment and retention. “I would like to pay two officers $60,000 each, with the chief salary at $100,000,” Pelletier said, framing those figures as a starting point for discussion.
Board members pressed Pelletier on personnel rules. He said the department can make decisions about assigning additional hours internally, but that any formal salary increases should be approved by the Select Board. The board asked for a costed proposal with benefits included; staff agreed Pelletier will return with salary scenarios at a future meeting.
Pelletier also raised operational concerns tied to seasonal recreation traffic, asking for clearer river‑access and parking signage so tubers can find exits and reduce calls for lost visitors. He requested a copy of an exit map developed by town staff and FRCOG.
The Select Board assigned Select Board member Kim Blakeslee as liaison to the police department to help shepherd follow‑up, including a detailed budget impact estimate and proposed salary adjustments. No formal pay changes were voted on at the meeting.
