Public expresses support for PIPD sergeant
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Council Chambers were packed for Monday night’s workshop on a recent report by Municipal Resources, Inc. (MRI) on the fire and police departments, with approximately 75 people — including firefighters, law enforcement and numerous citizens — waiting to hear what the future holds for public safety in the Star City.
The evening kicked off with Alan Gould, MRI operations manager and a former New Hampshire police chief, and Wayne Werts, public safety consultant and former chief of the Auburn Fire Department, presenting an overview of their findings. Gould presented with regard to the police, while Werts covered the fire department.
The report — published in October and on file at City Hall — is a compilation of data MRI officials put together on ways each department could work more efficiently. In the report, the police department bears the brunt of the concerns, with staffing being the biggest issue. Gould suggested a number of changes, from hours worked per shift to the elimination of positions, including a detective and sergeant. Elimination of single-purpose K-9s with dual-purpose dogs was suggested, as well as continuing to fill dispatch positions with civilians.
“We came up with the recommending staffing level of 15 sworn officers: the chief, deputy chief, two sergeants and 11 patrol officers,” said Gould. Currently, the department has 17 sworn officers, including three sergeants. Gould suggested dropping the detective back to patrolman, which would “provide for continuity of investigations and provide one more officer on the road.”
On the fire side, Wertz found no problem with staffing but suggested more could be done to retain volunteers and junior firefighters, including exploring the possibility of a program that offers live-in space for college/university students in exchange for a fire-fighting commitment. Wertz also said the city should develop a plan for replacement of aging equipment, including Engine 6, Rescue 8 and Tanker 1.
“I suggest the chief sit down with policymakers to make out a vehicle replacement policy/program for the future,” said Wertz.
Matt Irwin, chief of the Presque Isle Police Department, and Darrell White, chief of the Presque Isle Fire Department, were also on hand to provide their input on the report. The bulk of the conversation involved proposed changes to the police department.
Chief Irwin said the department could get to down to 15 sworn officers through attrition.
“The elimination of the sergeant’s position — I’ve been here since April (the chief’s position was vacant from Naldo Gagnon’s resignation last fall until Irwin arrived on April 4). For various reasons, one sergeant hasn’t worked but 47 days since Jan. 1. I can’t look at you in good conscience and say I need that position,” said Irwin. “What I’m asking is to retain the position of police officer, then the next spot that vacates, turn that spot into a dispatcher.”
The sergeant Irwin referenced is Sgt. Joey Seeley, who had taken time off last winter to have surgery. A week after he returned to work, he was injured in the line of duty while chasing an individual.
Irwin noted that back in June, the detective (Bill Scull) was reassigned to patrol and that within the last month the detective sergeant (Wayne Selfridge) had transitioned to corporal and has been assisting with dispatch and communication issues. Irwin also indicated that the K-9s (tracking bloodhound Hunter and drug dog Dozer) aren’t a big financial burden to the city, since both dogs were donated to the department, their food is now being donated by Walmart and their vet bills are less than $500 annually.
“The annual overtime we pay out is roughly $8,000 for two dogs and two handlers,” said Irwin, noting a single dog can do both jobs. Reduction to one dog should be done through attrition, he said.
City Manager Jim Bennett told councilors “since Matt’s been on board, the cost of the K-9 programs is less than half, through union support.”
Irwin said the department has gone from six sergeants (one detective, one working with MDEA and four sergeants) when he arrived earlier this year down to three.
“The department doesn’t demand three sergeants. We don’t need the third spot. In better times I might argue we could use the position. But I can’t at this point; the police officer position can be argued we need the position, the case load shows a need,” said Irwin.
With regard to staffing, Bennett indicated no personnel would be out of a job.
“Under my recommendations, no one currently working for the PIPD would lose their job. The idea we’re eliminating positions is incorrect,” said Bennett.
Councilor Don Gardner asked how moving the sergeant in question down to a patrol officer would affect his salary. Bennett said it was “subject to union negotiation” and would “end at the highest pay scale available.”
“We’d recognize time of service and that would be represented going into union negotiations,” said Bennett. “We do have a vacancy recently created in the patrol division, so there’s a home for that individual to go to.”
Following a brief recess, Council Chair Emily Smith read a statement from Council with regard to why city officials are considering certain cuts as budget discussions continue.
“The Presque Isle City Council wishes to clarify the reasons we are exploring the options of reducing operating expenditures. The Council instructed City Manager Jim Bennett to brainstorm ideas that could ultimately be used for discussion points to help balance the city budget,” said Smith, noting, “Jim offered the Council a list of budget alternatives, not to be confused with budget recommendations.”
Smith went on to cite continuing difficulties due to a poor economy and the need to cut costs.
“We must be vigilant and determined to provide essential services in a clearly difficult budgetary environment,” said Smith.
Smith continued, noting a deputy city manager was needed to help with the city’s “planning and development” and to help “improve communications with the business community.” She also indicated city officials will continue to work with their counterparts in other communities to find ways to share services, etc.
Smith acknowledged as well that “budget alternatives we are considering will have impacts on the community.”
“The elimination of positions puts an emotional strain on the community, the employees, the Council and the city manager. In the end, the Council must act on sound judgment to balance the budget with as little impact to services as possible. The city manager will implement the plan and go in the direction that his council directs him to go. Jim Bennett has gone above and beyond to protect city employee jobs, but he must act with the Council’s approval,” said Smith.
Next, Smith turned the meeting over for public comment, with about nearly a dozen citizens stepping up to the podium to express their concerns over various matters.
First up was Carly Cleaves who asked what criteria was used to determine the elimination of the sergeant’s position.
“A sergeant’s being demoted who has experience. He was injured. If he’s so educated, why is he the first to be demoted?” asked Cleaves.
Irwin responded, noting the MRI report’s recommendation that a third sergeant wasn’t needed.
Cleaves questioned how Irwin made his determination, given the sergeant’s 20 years of experience and has a master’s degree and FBI training. Irwin said he wasn’t judging his work record and that it was a union matter. Smith said it wasn’t a “people thing — it’s a position, not a person.”
Dick Engels, newly-elected city councilor, spoke next, indicating the city’s “budget is such we have to unfortunately cut back and someone has to go. The who is determined by the union representative and contract negotiation. If you want to complain about who, complain about union contracts.”
Traci Place, business agent for Teamsters Local 340, offered a clarification.
“I don’t decide. I don’t dictate what’s in an agreed-upon contract. (The contract) has been in place for many years — not new language, nor did I create it,” said Place.
Patti Crooks, manager of the Aroostook Centre Mall, said it was a very “arduous task” and she’s had to cut money from budgets for years.
“The issue here is consultants. Have we exhausted every avenue to cut. Cutting a $50,000 job — will that save the budget? To abandon him (Sgt. Seeley) is not a good call,” said Crooks.
David Gordon, a citizen of about seven years, said “we voted you all in these chairs and gave you the power of decision-making. But the people should be able to vote on the chief of police or other issues. I don’t believe the people gave you the right to vote on everything; people should have a right to vote on some things.”
Eva Kirk, a Main Street business owner and mother, said, “I don’t know how you people can sit there and say ‘take this sergeant’s position’ — do away with it. What we’ve had here for so long has worked. Personally, I’m glad we have four sergeants. Young officers look to these people for guidance, supervision and answers.”
“Is it worth a few dollars to put this family through the stress and agony of the past few months to eliminate this position?” asked Kirk, adding given the tough economic times, there was “no need for a deputy city manager or for councilors to get Ipads.”
Steward Libby, another Main Street business owner, said he didn’t want to see the culture of Presque Isle disappear and drive people away.
“If this is only about the tax rate, I think it’s a mistake. You should think before making cuts, find out where people are willing to pay a little more rather than having less in the city,” said Libby. “The same thing happened a few years ago — councilors felt it was their duty. Keep in mind, it’s the good of the community overall and not overall targeting the mil rate.”
Libby reminded councilors that their past counterparts had discussed drastic measures like eliminating the fire department and how one councilor thought upping insurance rates and eliminating the fire department was a good idea.
“It’s very easy to get tied up in money only. It’s not just an employee (issue), but a matter of efficiency and the city being a place to live and do business,” he said.
Jacqueline Goodine addressed the Council next, questioning the need for a deputy city manager. Smith indicated the city had gone from nine department heads to five and that there was a need for another administrative position to “catch some of the sand falling through the cracks.”
Goodine told Smith Bennett didn’t need an assistant, he just “needs to do his job.”
Pat Cote shared his views on the Pay-As-You-Throw program and ways the city could look elsewhere to raise revenues, including promoting the area to prospective businesses.
McDonnell Smith, a 16-year resident, said the two most important things in town were the fire and police departments. He indicated the rise in crime statewide was reason enough to keep the sergeant position. “If we lose his experience, then what would we do. Maybe the thing to do is not cut police and fire — maybe look for other things to cut.”
Rudy Tardif, a resident since 1968, a veteran and former member of the PIPD, was the most vocal speaker, sharing a bit of history from his years on the force and how, at the time, there were four sergeants and 12 officers. He said he disagreed with the chief and the report, noting that vacation, sick time, leave and holidays still had to be covered and that it required a senior man to do so.
“You don’t eliminate supervisors,” said Tardif.
Tardif shared with all present Sgt. Seeley’s educational background and his involvement with various organizations.
“You have a man over there whom you’ve put a bunch of money into. After getting his degree in criminal justice with the University of Maine, with a goal of someday becoming chief, Sgt. Seeley went to the FBI Academy at a cost to the city of $8,000. He continued his education at Husson, getting a master’s degree to the tune of $15,000 — you have all that money invested. He’s a certified instructor at the police academy, certified firearms instructor, was selected to represent the state and the nation at various Special Olympic events from North Carolina to Japan,” said Tardif.
“You don’t go down in police work, you go up. Madawaska and Caribou each have three sergeants. Houlton and State Police have a supervisor each shift,” said Tardif, asking councilors if they could say how much money would be saved with changing the sergeant to an officer, answering his own question with, “You’ll only save $5,500.”
Tardif spoke directly to Irwin as he explained that the sergeant’s absence was due to a work-related injury and city policy on having to use time accumulated or the individual loses it.
“He was injured doing police work. He captured his man — had to run down a river to do it. The city regulates use of sick leave, vacation. He’s maxed out on everything. He used days in order not to lose them,” he said.
“What do you think demoting him with do to his morale? His morale is shot. He’s done a good job for the city of Presque Isle, been involved in all kinds of organizations,” said Tardif. “You’re going to demote him to patrolman to save $5,500?”
Resident Peter Underwood rounded out the speakers, noting Bennett was “hired to shake the town up” and was “doing a good job.”
As others before him, Underwood spoke on Seeley’s behalf, recalling an incident years earlier when someone had dumped trash on his land.
“Six or eight hours later, Sgt. Seeley had the culprit. That’s good police work and that’s what we’d be losing,” said Underwood.
