By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
CROYDON — A difference of opinion between the Croydon Board of Selectmen and Richard Lee, the town’s part-time police chief, was settled by voters Saturday morning at the annual Croydon Town Meeting.
On a ballot vote of 58-29, voters approved an amendment reducing a $51,155 request to cover general police department operations down to $39,157. The 2017 budget included $37,797 for police operations.
The amendment turned down a request by Lee that would have increased his pay by 43 percent. In the end he will receive a 2 percent pay raise, the same as other town employees.
With a 43 percent hike, Lee would have gone from $17.50 to $25.02, the same hourly range now paid to the head of the Croydon Highway Department.
“No comment,” was Lee’s response following the meeting when asked about his future plans as Croydon’s chief. “I would have accepted $24 an hour,” he revealed.
For much of the hour-long discussion that focused on Lee’s request, he sat quietly without comment.
During the discussion, Selectboard member Carol Marsh said Croydon’s three-member board spent a great deal of time evaluating the duties of the road agent post to draft a job description and benefits.
“We looked at the medical and retirement benefits. Many applicants for the job did not have a CDL to drive the trucks. Referring to the two men filling the positions now, Marsh said, “I think the boys doing the work are doing a great job.” Many voters attending the meeting clapped in support.
Jim Peschke, a member of the audience, said he would like to hear reasons for the budget increase.
Chief Lee said he started working 15 hours a week in Croydon while still employed full time with the Newport Police Department. “It can’t be done in 15 hours and went to 25,” Lee responded. Lee said he is now at 32 hours a week.
Lee said he spends 40-50 hours a year on training and looks for free stuff, mentioning more than $40,000 received in grants and equipment; when I’m called, I go plus 52 trips to court last year.
The chief said people’s salaries should be based on experience.
Lee said the position should have a job description. The board needs to take the same steps that were taken for the highway position, he continued. “If the board had a problem it should have been addressed more than a week ago.”
Lee said his wage adjustments should be the same as the highway department.
The town operating budget for 2018 of $462,834 passed. The police department operating budget was discussed in a separate article later in the meeting.
Article 14 was the subject of a bit of discussion. It will authorize the Selectmen to open certain town roads in Croydon to OHRV traffic by means of an OHRV ordinance. This non-binding article is advisory only for consideration by the Board of Selectmen. It passed, 47-33.
The results of voting on Election Day held Tuesday, March 13, Gary Quimby as elected to a three-year term for selectman with 57 votes. Trailing were Cathy Peschke, 44, Joseph Marko, 32 and Jim Harding, 1. After 25 years at the position, Harding did not seek re-election.
Others elected were Charleen Little, town clerk/tax collector, three years, 128 votes; Brenda McGuire, 2, and Angi Beaulieu, 1; Willis Ballou, town moderator, 2 years, 121 votes; Steve Michel, 1; trustee of trust funds and cemeteries, Steve Michel, 127 votes; Supervisor of the checklist, 6 years, Susan Gromis, 112 votes, Jane Dearden, 1, and town auditor, 1 year, Jan Michel, 115.
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