STRATFORD - School resources, including the DARE program, and fire-training programs will be among the public safety cuts forced by the 2005-06 town budget, according to the police and fire brass. Police Chief Michael A. Imbro and Fire Chief Ronald C. Nattrass released a joint statement detailing the staff and program cuts they are making in response to the municipal budget. "The reductions that were made were extremely difficult and done with the mind-set that officer and firefighter safety as well as community protection were paramount," the statement reads. "In order to reduce the budget and still continue with the current levels of services, staff layoffs, demotions and program reductions had to be implemented."

The Police Department will reduce funding for crime prevention, marine patrol, school resource officers and officer training programs, according to the statement. The police records unit and the animal shelter will be open for fewer hours a week, while the DARE program and traffic enforcement unit have been cut. An assistant animal control officer also will be eliminated. The Fire Department will eliminate a deputy fire marshal for a year and a training captain for six months. Part-time fire staffing also is being cut. The chiefs said residents can still expect quality emergency services despite the cuts. Both departments were forced to cut their operational budgets from the requested amounts by more than 1 percent. "Make no mistake. If you call for an emergency or assistance, you will still receive a prompt response from professional, caring police officers or firefighters," the statement reads. "We all hope that these budget cuts are nothing more than a one-year anomaly and that next year, we will be able to reinstitute the programs and staffing that have been lost."

Neither Imbro nor Nattrass could be reached for additional comment Friday. The Town Council passed a $154.3 million overall spending plan for the 2005-06 fiscal year, which starts July 1.

The budget, which includes $75.4 million for education, sets a tax rate of 26.98 mills, or $26.98 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

The Board of Education will vote Monday on giving final approval to close Center Elementary School, one of school officials' recommendations to reconcile its budget with the amount approved by the council.

Frank Washkuch Jr., who covers Stratford, can be reached at 330-6287.