Selectmen Approve Hiring of P/T Supernumerary

Recently, the Board of Selectmen approved the hiring of a supernumerary for the police department, the third person currently on staff to hold the title.

In case you are not familiar with the word, supernumerary is Latin for "in excess of the usual, or above the prescribed number."  In police department terms, it is a part-time worker who receives no benefits or pension from his or her part-time department.

As Chief of Police Todd Lawrie explained, although the department has two other supernumeraries on board, "their availability is diminished" due to both officers obtaining full time jobs elsewhere.

Supernumeraries fill in as needed, but work no more than 20 hours a week each, said the chief.

"It's prudent we increase the number of our officers especially in the summer," said Lawrie.

The Board of Police Commissioners authorized the hiring of a part-time supernumerary officer after interviewing a POST-certified officer who can start work immediately.

Chief Lawrie came to the Board of Selectmen asking their approval for an appropriation of $5,286 for the hire which includes $400 for a polygraph; $415 for a psychological test; $600 for a physical; and $3,871 for uniforms and equipment. The two tests and physical are mandated by the state, he noted.

Lawrie explained that in the current year and upcoming fiscal year, he has budgeted just over $10,000 for part-time supernumerary salaries. If one person works through the entire $10,000 amount or three work a third of it, that's the amount of the part-time budget - it does not increase.

The selectmen unanimously approved the hiring costs, which are separate from the $10,000 used for wages, sending it to the Board of Finance for their consideration. The finance board also approved the hiring costs at their March 11 meeting. The $5,286 will come from the town's contingency fund.