Safety-forces overtime cut, Boardman officials say

Staff report

BOARDMAN

Police and fire department overtime hours have been significantly trimmed so far this year, township officials say.

“Everyone at the township recognizes that right now, the budget is tight, and they [employees and department heads] have expressed their willingness to be a part of the solution,” said Larry Moliterno, trustees’ board chairman.

Police department overtime from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, 2009, totaled 1041.6 hours, or about $33,500. For the same period this year, overtime was 676.35 hours, about $20,000, said township Administrator Jason Loree.

“The unions have stepped up, and with changes in contract language, large amounts of overtime have been eliminated in operations,” said police Chief Jack Nichols.

The force has 38 sworn officers including the police chief.

He also said court overtime has been reduced by 203.2 hours in 2009 and by 81 hours so far this year, with the cooperation of the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office and Judge Joseph Houser of Boardman court.

For the fire department, total 2009 overtime totaled nearly $286,603.

This year, the department is on track to cut that amount in half, township officials said.

James Dorman, fire chief, said last year’s overtime increase was because of “unforeseen injuries and the loss of two firefighters.”

Also, the township and firefighters union have agreed to discuss options for further cuts in expenses. “It is hoped that cooperation between the firefighters and the township will help improve manpower while also keeping rising expenses under control,” he added.

Harry Wolfe, firefighters union president, said the union “has always been willing to discuss options to reduce costs and improve manpower.”

Trustees this year ordered all three township fire stations reopened using current staffing.

The fire department has 36 sworn officers including the fire chief.