| 11/29/2007 |
| Police contract settled: Receive 3.5 percent raises first, second and fourth years, 3.25 in third and fifth |
| By: Tom Burns |
| Following negotiations, the police union and town officials agreed to a new contract which was described as fair by both parties involved. In the first, second, and fourth years of the contract police employees will earn a 3.5 percent increase in pay. During the third and fifth years of the contract, a 3.25 percent raise will be given to police employees. Watertown Police Union Local 541 representative Sergeant Mark Raimo of the Watertown Police Department, described the contract as a "fair deal," adding "we weren't exactly happy with it, but if it ended up going to arbitration we would have had to agree to it anyway." From the town's perspective, Town Manager Chuck Frigon said he was "very pleased" that the town and police union had come to an agreement. Moreover, Mr. Frigon described the police union's approach as "very professional," deeming the negotiations preceding the agreement as "very productive." The terms of the contract do not pertain to Police Chief John Gavallas, because he contract was negotiated under the agreement for non-union department heads, finalized with the Town Council prior in the year. All told, the agreement will pertain to 38 police employees. Amongst the 38 employees who will be affected under the new contract terms are the sergeants, lieutenants and detectives on the force, as well as officers. One point of contention for the police union was the change in disability compensation for officers. Under prior terms, if an officer was hurt on a job he/she would be able to earn a pension for life. Under fresh terms, if an officer is hurt on the job and is able to return to work another job, the pension will be reduced accordingly to the salary earned at the new job. Another change adversely affecting the contract terms of the police union is the medical premium. Prior to the new contract the police employees did not contribute anything toward their health insurance premium. However, they will now pay a co-pay of 9 percent in the first year of the contract, rising to 13 percent in the fifth year of the contract. Additionally, the social security offset previously provided at a rate of 35 percent was more than halved to 17 percent. Also of note, is the stipulation that an officer must live within a 30-minute drive of the police department. However, an officer may live outside said distance if he receives special approval from the police chief. Sergeant Raimo believed that the town "was financially responsible and in the end we ended up with a fair deal." Mr. Frigon echoed sentiments similar to those of Sergeant Raimo, stating that the contract is "good for both parties and good for the taxpayers; I think its a good contract."
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