Town of Auburn

Police Commission 

February 2, 2010

PRESENT:    Ken Robinson, Chairman, Hubert Topliff, Chief Picard, Lt. David Flight, Jane Rego

ABSENT:       Commissioner John McCaugherty

Mr. Robinson called the meeting to order at 4:10 p.m.

REVIEW OF BILLS:

All bills presented were signed and approved.  

MINUTES of  January 2010.  Mr. Robinson  moved to accept the minutes without modification.  Mr. Topliff seconded.  All in favor.

Department Reports:

Chief’s Report:

The Chief reported one officer will be out for the next six weeks on Workers Comp due to a work-related injury. A second officer may also be out in the near future for surgery. The Department has enough people to cover the shifts as necessary, but we may want to make sure that this does not put a hole in our 2010 payroll budget.

We fear that depending on how the Workers Comp. is handled, not only will the payroll line be affected if they are paid in full by the town, we will also have to pay a part-timer to cover their shifts. 

Chief Picard’s target date for his additional surgery is mid-March.  He is very much looking forward to being able to do patrol shifts again.  He strongly feels that working patrol shifts keeps you in touch with what is going on.

While Chief Picard recognizes that due to the state of the economy there are no scheduled pay increases for the Police Dept. in the 2010 budget, morale is at an all-time low and the officers are having discussions concerning this issue.

Commissioner Topliff mentioned that they are fortunate they have jobs when so many people in the state and across the country do not. 

Discussion continued regarding the fact that state employees are having to take forced furloughs to avoid layoffs, and, many towns have gone several years without raises.  It was recognized that the Town of Auburn has in previous years taken very good care of their employees  in regards to COLA increases and merit increases and this was very much appreciated.

Chief Picard attended the Deliberative Session on January 30^th and stated that many valid points were raised and discussed pertaining to the Police 2010 budget.

Residents inquired about the $40,000 we are turning back from the  2009 budget.  What people don’t seem to understand is that we need to have this money allocated in the budget in case we have a major incident during the year.  If a major incident does occur  that money would easily be spent on overtime requirements and various investigations that would need to take place.  We are fortunate in Auburn that no major incidents occurred in Auburn in 2009.

New Business

Police Commissioner Chairman Ken Robinson informed all present that he attended a meeting on January 11^th at the Amherst Middle School regarding the Mont Vernon murders.  He stated there were about 30-40 people present and they had a question and answer session regarding these horrifying murders and what can be done to prevent something like this happening in the future.

Chief Picard mentioned that the death penalty, which has been discussed at length, is a very touchy subject here in NH.  There is a very strong “grass roots” group that is opposed to the death penalty.  This is a very heated subject among people.

Chief Picard went on to say that many people are now arming themselves since this incident. 

Motion to adjourn meeting by Mr. Robinson at 4:31 p.m.  Approved – Mr. Topliff,   All in favor

Next meeting, March 2, 2010, 4:00 p.m. @ the Auburn Safety Complex.