Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plympton finance panel keeps 12 monthly police overtime shifts as chief outlines training, cruiser needs
Summary
At its Feb. 11 meeting the Plympton Finance Committee agreed to retain 12 police overtime shifts per month in the draft budget after Police Chief Matt Ahl cited increased training mandates, a jump in traffic enforcement and two totaled cruisers requiring replacement plans.
Police Chief Matt Ahl presented the Plympton Police Department's draft budget at the Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 11, 2026, and the committee agreed to keep 12 overtime shifts per month in the proposed budget while it finishes review of other town spending.
"The proposed budget includes 12 overtime shifts per month, representing a 7% increase," Chief Matt Ahl told the committee, noting the department's twelve‑month average has been 12 shifts per month and that even halving overtime would still result in a 4% increase. The committee agreed to leave the 12 shifts in the draft budget for now and reassess once other budget lines are complete.
Ahl said required training and other mandates have driven up costs. He reported traffic enforcement increased from 1,200 to 2,400 stops, "resulting in more court time and required schedule backfill," and said citation revenue is remitted to the state and returned to Plympton through Chapter 90 funds for road maintenance. He also said traffic enforcement activity is supported by a recurring annual grant the town applies for and has consistently received.
Other cost pressures in the department include a 7% increase in ammunition costs and a 13.3% increase in Police Administration that Ahl attributed to COLA and additional hours. The Board of Selectmen recently approved three additional administrative hours funded by cruiser‑detail administrative fees; the committee recommended separating those hours into a distinct line item because they are funded from a different source.
The department reported two cruisers were totaled in accidents; insurance will partially offset replacement costs. Committee members discussed a replacement plan that would use insurance and cruiser‑detail funds for lease payments and replace one vehicle with a used model under five years old and under 100,000 miles.
The Finance Committee did not take a formal vote on the police budget line at the meeting. The panel will revisit overtime and other police budget items as remaining departmental and town budgets are finalized. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 23, 2026.
