WINDHAM — A new part-time police officer program netted the town more than $24,000 in its first six months, far exceeding the estimated benefit when it was approved by the selectmen last year.
Selectmen launched the program in May after Vice Chairman Bruce Breton proposed the town use retired Windham police officers for traffic details and emergencies on a part-time basis. Breton estimated at the time that the program would save the town $10,000 to $15,000 a year.
Town Finance Director Dana Call announced last night that the town billed out more than $54,000 in charges for nearly 1,100 hours of road details between June and Dec. 31.
After paying the officers, there was about $24,000 left over — money that is available to offset future budget expenses for traffic safety, including officer training or cruiser maintenance, Breton said.
Chairman Dennis Senibaldi praised the program last night.
"Before, those dollars went to Derry or other towns," Senibaldi said.
Windham police previously turned to other towns, including Salem, Pelham and Hudson, for police officers to work road construction details when the department could not fill those shifts. When an officer from another town covered the detail, that community received the difference between what the officer earned and what that town charged the contractor.
Now, when Windham covers the details, it receives the $22 difference between what the officer is paid, $28 an hour, and the $50 an hour the town bills the contractor.
The need for police details has continued to be strong with the large number of construction projects on Route 111 and at Exit 3 of Interstate 93.
That need should continue with the work at Exit 3 and federal stimulus dollars expected to be used to accelerate the project.
Three retired Windham officers have joined the part-time officer program. They are Greg Malisos, David Comeau and Louis Palermo.
Breton said an added benefit of the program is these former officers are familiar with Windham.
"I like seeing our officers on our streets," Breton said.
In keeping with the union contract, regular full-time Windham officers have the right of first refusal for the detail work.
In other fiscal matters, Call announced the town has a budget surplus of $222,197 for 2008.
Most of the money came from town positions that went unfilled and from employee retirements. The surplus will be available to reduce property taxes or to make up for any reduced state funding.
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