Politics & Government

VIDEO: Selectmen Talk Budget, Swear in New Police Officers

The Board of Selectmen discussed fiscal 2012 budgets and swore in new officers.

Members swore in the newest officers to join the Seekonk Police Department during Wednesday night's Board of Selectmen meeting.

Officer Matthew Gardner left his post the Rehoboth Police Department to join Seekonk's ranks. Former Selectmen Michael Brady was colleague. Officer David Mahoney left Nantucket to accept the position.

"I am excited to join the Seekonk Police Department," said Mahoney on Wednesday night, noting he is looking forward to working on Seekonk's specialized units.

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During the meeting, Member Bob McLintock asked to discuss the 35-65 split; a formula used to decide how much of the annual budget is allocated toward municipal and school expenses. According to McLintock, the formula should not have been set in stone years ago. He said the budget breakdown should be analyzed further.

"There's been a battle going on for years," he said, referring to alleged animosity between Board of Selectmen and the school committee members. 

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Furthermore, he said Town Administrator Michael Carroll didn't understand that the formula never should have been made permanent years ago when McLintock was the chairman of the school committee.

"I do understand it," rebutted Carroll, noting he had the documentation to prove otherwise.

Selectmen Bill Rice said communication between both the school committee and Selectmen was imperative to a working government. Furthermore, he said school committee members have expressed a willingness to talk about the budget.

Carroll drafted a proposed budget months ago; Board of Selectmen members approve final figures. Residents can then vote on items in the town warrant during a meeting scheduled for June 20. According to members, Seekonk has about $42 million to manage in the fiscal 2012 year.

According to Chairman Dave Parker, residents can request to add expenses to the town's budget. If voters then approve the request at town meeting, it will be added to the final budget's expenses.

At the end of the meeting, members discussed collective bargaining in executive session away from public view.


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