Three Middleboro police officers back in budget
Middleboro Police Chief Robert Ferreira explained that losing four officers, in addition to upcoming scheduled job losses, would hurt the community. File photo
Middleboro Police Chief Robert Ferreira explained that losing four officers, in addition to upcoming scheduled job losses, would hurt the community. File photo
MIDDLEBORO -- Select Board members have rescinded the layoffs of three police officers, agreeing with Police Chief Robert Ferreira that the loss would be greatly detrimental to the department and the town.
The vote, made at the board’s May 26 meeting, reflected concerns from Ferreira at a previous meeting.
He explained that losing the officers, which was done in response to a townwide budget shortfall, did not factor in other upcoming job losses through retirements or departures to other positions out of town.
He also noted that training each officer costs the town $80,000 and that overtime costs would increase with fewer people working.
The board signed off on the transfer of a fourth officer scheduled for layoff, Ryan Marshall, to the Wrentham Police Department.
Interim Town Manager Joe Perkins stressed that the return of the positions was done by Ferreira’s careful planning in factoring in the upcoming job losses. He noted the department is still slated to lose about half a million dollars.
