Police Chief Presents 'Lean' Budget, Advises Against Staff Cuts

Cranford's police chief presented a flat, but for salary costs, budget to the Township Committee on Monday. He advised against cutting his staff, suggesting instead to look for savings in county-funded programs.

Police Chief Eric Mason said apart from salaries and wages, the 2010 budget remained the same in regards to operating costs.

"The overall operating budget has remained flat," Mason said. "I have no control over the salary and wage portion of the budget, that's done by collective bargaining."

The current budget proposal does not yet reflect the loss of one police officer and one communications officer.

Thomas J. Grady, director of finance, said the numbers have not been updated yet, but the loss of the two positions will reduce the budget by approximately $125,000.

The $6.6 million police budget represents a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year's budget in the amount of approximately $332,000, which includes $65,000 for replacing police cruisers.

Finance Commissioner Mark Dugan admitted that despite the salary costs the proposal represented an otherwise "lean budget" and expressed a desire to revisit several issues when the current collective bargaining agreement expires.

Mason raised the possibility of switching operation of the emergency notification system from the town to the county which could create $8,500 in savings.

While Public Safety Commissioner David Robinson said the county system has a pay-per-usage system, Mason said he believes it will not be an issue as the system is rarely utilized.

Mason lauded his department for their work and advised against any reduction of staff.

"The primary function of the government is the protection of its citizens," he said. "I think in the case of Cranford, its money well spent. You can't deliver the same level of service with less."

Mayor Mark Smith agreed while acknowledging the budgetary woes facing Cranford with expected shortfalls in state aid.

"It's going to be a very difficult year, I believe," Smith said.

Township officials considered cutting municipal personnel in an attempt to trim the 2009 budget. Workers, especially those from the public works, fire and police departments, attended meetings to try to convince officials to seek other budget-cutting means. Town officials decided instead to replace the proposed layoffs with furloughs, contract concessions and department budget cuts, according to media reports.

The town has a long way to go before finalizing the 2010 budget, and officials have yet to decide for or against similar budget-trimming methods.