Police chief proposes 4.43% budget increase; prosecutor pay request prompts review

Police Chief Shevlin presented the department's proposed 2027 budget, which he said represents a 4.43% increase (about $42,000) driven largely by fuel costs and wage adjustments. Chief Shevlin said he reduced overtime, uniform and ammunition lines while adding or maintaining lines for officer stipends and equipment longevity (including planned replacement cycles for vests).

Chief Shevlin said the department's prosecutor had a prior-year payment of $18,500 (after a 3% cost-of-living increase) and requested an increase to $24,000 quarterly; after reviewing compensation in neighboring towns the chief said he proposed $20,000 quarterly locally. The Board discussed the amount and asked for comparative data to inform any change.