By CRAIG FREILCH

POTSDAM – The village and the police department are at an impasse in contract negotiations, and a mediator is coming Friday to meet with both sides.

The police department, represented by the Teamsters, and village negotiators were declared at an impasse in talks March 23.

Mediator Ben Budelmann of the state Public Employee Relations Board will be in Potsdam Friday, according to Village Superintendent David Fenton, to begin trying to move both sides together on a new contract to replace the one that expires May 31.

Fenton says the issues remaining to be resolved include health insurance costs and retiree benefits – “the two big issues with most unions today,” Fenton said – and pay rates.

Meanwhile Fenton says that negotiations with CSEA, which represents other village employees, are “nearly complete.” Their contract also expires May 31.

Mediator Budelmann is also working with Canton to resolve contract talks between the village and its public works employees.