By Beth David, Editor
The Acushnet Selectboard approved the police union contract at its meeting on 12/19/23. The negotiations have been going on for three years. All three board members said it was a difficult process.
SB member David Wojnar was the board’s representative in the negotiations. He presented the package that the union agreed to at the meeting on 12/5/23. The board met for hours in executive session at the meeting but did not vote.
Mr. Wojnar said they have been going “back and forth and had some real robust discussion.”
He credited his fellow board members with doing their homework on how the contract will affect the budget. He said there will be an impact, but it was about prioritizing public safety. He said they need to view it as an investment.
SB Chairperson Kevin Gaspar said he only saw the details a couple of weeks ago. He spoke to police officers and looked at contracts from other towns. He said it was not fair the kind of scrutiny that police officers face now.
“I know I’m the fiance guy and try to break down the numbers,” said Mr. Gaspar. “At some point I gotta let go and say what’s in the best interest of he men and women who are serving this community and are keeping us all safe.”
SB member Bob Hinckley said it was “refreshing” that they came out of their executive session talking and smiling. He said sometimes the board has to make the hard decisions.
“I’m happy to say we worked together to get this done,” said Mr. Hinckley.
The board also voted to appoint two new police officers to attend the next policy academy.
Colin Matton and Adrian Fontes both grew up in Acushnet, and both told the SB they have wanted to be police officers their whole lives.
Chief Richmond told the board they both had demonstrated a great work ethic. He said a panel of sergeants interviewed them and the “resounding opinion is that we have two great candidates here.”
L-R: Kevin Hart, from State Rep. William Straus’s office; State Rep. Paul Schmid; Acushnet Selectboard Member Bob Hinckley; SB Chairperson Kevin Gaspar; SB member David Wojnar, hold the big check for $80,000 in grant money for the Acushnet Council on Aging. Submitted photo.
In another matter, the board met with State Representative Paul Schmid and Kevin Hart, a representative of State Rep. William Straus to receive an $80,000 grant for the Council on Aging. The money will be used to re-roof the building and install air conditioning.
“We were able to secure a little earmark,” said Rep. Schmid. “And you know everybody hates earmarks except when they’re for their town.”
He said it was a team effort, and included the help of Sen. Mark Montigny.
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