Waterford selectmen support less than 2 percent increase in police budget

Waterford — The Board of Selectmen on Tuesday approved a proposed $4,994,101 budget for the police department for the next fiscal year. The proposed budget represents a 1.67 increase from the current fiscal year.

Police Chief Murray J. Pendleton initially presented a proposed 3.22 percent budget increase. Pendleton proposed holding off on filling a sergeant’s position until the end of the year, with an expected savings of about $50,000. A proposed reduction in mileage on police cruisers and other police vehicles is expected to save another $20,000.

The board also approved budgets for conservation of health ($133,849), public health and nursing ($46,840), emergency management ($1,072,823), the Board of Selectmen ($214,787) and Southeast Area Transit ($43,924).

The board questioned SEAT general manager Ella Bowman and two members of the transit district’s board of directors. Prior to Tuesday, the town unsuccessfully had sought more detailed information on SEAT bus ridership.

Bowman presented some ridership figures Tuesday. The SEAT proposed a 4 percent budget increase.

All of the budget proposals will now go to the Board of Finance.