Central to the meeting was the discussion of the fiscal 2026 budget, particularly the challenges faced by the police and fire departments due to staffing shortages and budget constraints. Both departments are operating below the recommended staffing levels set by national accrediting organizations such as the FBI and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The police department anticipates a budget overage of $170,000 due to personnel issues, while the fire department seeks an overage appropriation of $260,000 primarily due to staffing changes. These challenges are exacerbated by ongoing pension liabilities, which amount to approximately $6 to $7 million annually for the city.

The committee also explored the potential use of federal grants to increase staffing levels. While these grants offer full salary coverage for the first year, decreasing in subsequent years, the city would be liable to repay the full amount if grant-funded positions are cut after five years. This financial risk, coupled with the city’s current pension liabilities, makes the decision to pursue such grants a complex one. The committee also acknowledged the importance of balancing non-school department budgets.

In addition to staffing and budget concerns, the committee discussed the status of the city’s parking meters, with the director of purchasing addressing questions. While most meters are operational, some require parts for full functionality, particularly those in front of the police station. The city has recently hired a new parking meter maintenance technician, Tom Roberts, who will focus on repairs and collections. The committee also discussed the locations for the meters, noting that new ones need to be ordered for City Hall Avenue to comply with existing ordinances. The cost for new meters is estimated at $750 each.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of public education regarding the meters, as enforcement has increased significantly, leading to a 600% to 700% rise in appeals over the past two weeks. The public’s unfamiliarity with the meters, due to a lack of enforcement in previous years, was noted as a challenge. However, local business owners have expressed gratitude for the return of parking availability on Main Street.

Additionally, the meeting covered various budgetary considerations, including the need for a full-time plumbing inspector to manage the workload and maintain efficiency. The current part-time inspector is struggling to keep up with the volume of inspections due to limited hours, leading to potential delays in permit processing. A request for a full-time inspector was not accommodated in the current budget due to financial constraints.

The police department’s budget was another focal point, with the police chief reporting that most budget increases were related to salary line items due to collective bargaining agreements. The department faces ongoing issues with managing overtime costs related to staffing vacancies, with the police chief noting the challenge of backfilling positions due to the number of officers out on leave. There was discussion about the need for vehicle rotations, typically funded through free cash appropriations.

The fire department also reported on its equipment and budgetary needs. The department has ordered new vehicles, including an ambulance and a rescue truck, while the ladder truck remains in the design phase. Despite these challenges, the fire department has maintained financial prudence, particularly regarding the establishment of an ambulance service that operates at no cost to the city, allowing for additional personnel per shift.

The meeting concluded with the approval of safety committee budgets as presented, without any cuts, and the discussion of applications for licenses to collect secondhand articles, which were approved without issue. The committee emphasized the need for a strategic approach to budgeting and staffing, recognizing that while resources may not be sufficient to fulfill every department’s requests, incremental improvements could be made. The importance of maintaining readiness in both fire and police services was acknowledged, with an understanding of the challenges in achieving compliance with NFPA staffing standards.