The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved a one-year extension on a four year contract with Local Police Union 2693 Wednesday.
The agreement extends a contract that expired on June 30 for eight police officers. The town also employs five Resident State Troopers, who work under a separate contract.
Terms in the agreement call for a wage freeze until the end of 2009 with a 1.5 percent pay increase for officers in January 2010 and another 1.5 percent pay increase effective June 30, 2010.
The wage increase totals $3500 per each adjustment, or approximately $875 per day shift officer over the 12 month time period.
In addition, the agreement states that officers will increase their contributions to the town’s group health and dental insurance by 4.5 percent in June 2010 raising the total from $2,600 to $3,500.
First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers said she was happy the agreement took one face-to-face meeting with the Connecticut Council of Police Unions # 15, representing the local union.
“I am pleased by the willingness of the local police officers to recognize the economic burdens that all residents are dealing with,” she said. “This will help maintain the low tax rate that has been adopted for the 2009/2010 budget year.”
Selectman Dave McKane did not participate in the negotiations, but said he met with officers and thought it was a fair process on both sides of the discussion table.
“Both sides acted with professionalism during these extreme economic circumstances,” he said. “It was handled amicably given the times we are in.”
McKane added that officers will be entering new contract negotiations in June 2010 with a 1.5 percent increase right from the start, but said those negotiations will depend on the economic times.
“If the economy turns around, we’ll see where things stand when we get there,” he said.
The motion passed 2 – 0. Selectman Augie Palmer was not at the meeting.
Local 2693 Union President Officer David Ives could not be reached for comment.
