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Amid staffing concerns, Massena board approves hiring new members for police, fire department to save six figures in overtime

Posted 1/20/16

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- Following concerns about the effects of too many overtime hours on officer morale and village coffers, the Board of Trustees decided Tuesday to allow the police and fire …

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Amid staffing concerns, Massena board approves hiring new members for police, fire department to save six figures in overtime

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Following concerns about the effects of too many overtime hours on officer morale and village coffers, the Board of Trustees decided Tuesday to allow the police and fire departments to canvas for new members.

They also voted to accept the resignation of a court officer and not replace him, and declined to explain their rationale.

Acting Police Chief Adam Love will canvas for two full-time officers and a permanent contingent.

The permanent contingent is a temporary post to be filled for three months, with the option to appoint another three, Mayor Tim Currier said.

“Three years ago, we were at a 21-man department. As of Jan. 22, I’m going to be down to 16 patrol officers,” Love told the board.

He said hiring could save six figures in overtime. Chief Mark LaBrake retired earlier in the month, and Inv. Joseph Brown finishes at the end of this week. Love said Ptl. Cody Clary may leave to join state police and Ptl. Ian Vanier is on worker’s compensation. Sgt. Jordan Jenks will soon be out to attend supervisor school, as he is required by law to keep his post. Also, a new patrolman is attending police academy before he can suit up, which now takes 21 weeks.

“Between the retirement of LaBrake and Inv. Brown, if we were to hire two new police officers … the savings would be $111,012.04,” Love said, adding that the day shift alone requires 20 hours of daily overtime.

He said the extra overtime could have negative effects on the force.

“The amount of overtime it’s creating, and it’s causing fatigue to the officers I would push the village to allow me to hire two full-time and one full-time contingent so it would help the possibility of ramifications down the road,” Love said. “There’s sick time abuse when they’re not getting enough sleep … if they make bad calls, personnel complaints would go up … they could make the wrong call and lose their job."

“Currently with what I have, I need to have officers down there to protect the village like they’re supposed to, and protect one another.”

Massena Fire Department Foreman Ken McGowan said they have the same problems after losing two permanent firefighters last year.

“Basically we’re in the same boat as Adam. We’re down two individuals. It’s an overtime issue with us. We’re filling 42 hours a week average, in over time,” McGowan said. “It’s cheaper in the long run, the fatigue issue, I think it would be the right thing to get back to at least two men a shift.”

The board permitted him to canvas for one full-time driver.

Meanwhile, the trustees voted to accept part-time court officer Pat Serguson’s resignation.

They declined to appoint LaBrake to the position.

The board voted with no discussion following an executive session.

Currier would not explain their rationale.

“It’s a personnel issue we’re not going to discuss,” Currier said.