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Police Chief Eric Shears requests extra patrol position, flags overtime and operating increases
Summary
At a Feb. 3 Finance Committee meeting, Police Chief Eric Shears requested one additional patrol officer to reach three per shift and asked for increased overtime funding; staff also presented modest operating increases for vehicle repairs, fuel, communications and association dues.
Police Chief Eric Shears asked the Merrimac Finance Committee on Feb. 3 for one additional patrol officer to help reach a target of three officers per shift and requested more overtime funding to cover staff absences.
Shears told the committee that, like other departments, certain expenses have been deferred and are now coming due. He said he would not necessarily support funding new officers through an override, citing the town’s history of different outcomes at Town Meeting versus the polls.
Staff presented specific operating increases that affect the police budget: vehicle repairs (+$2,000), equipment repairs (+$2,000), a Comcast increase (+$405), additional fuel (+$2,000) and higher dues for professional associations (+$1,300). The chief said these are among several line items that contribute to rising departmental costs.
The committee did not vote on hiring at the meeting and did not adopt changes to the police operating budget. Discussion emphasized the need to balance public safety staffing with fiscal constraints and to consider options other than an override for permanent new hires.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn.
