In The Bin
March 26th, 2009 by CindyIf you have ever watched that TV show “Hell’s Kitchen” you will recognize the above phrase.
It’s what Chef Gordon Ramsay utters when he thinks a food item that an inspiring chef has prepared is not up to his standards-to put it nicely.
Well, I am going to do a Gordon Ramsay, but instead of food-it will be certain proposed budget items in Cheshire’s 2009-2010 “proposed financial plan.”
If I like the budget proposal I will say “NOT IN THE BIN”
If I don’t like it: it is “IN THE BIN”
FYI: “Bin” is English for trash can!!
Now many of you have contacted me and expressed your “concern” regarding the Town Manager and Police Chief’s salaries.
OK, well, so let’s take a look at them-let’s compare the T.M and Police Chiefs salary with one of my favorite towns-TRUMBULL.
I am really picking Trumbull because it is basically the same land area size as Cheshire and its population is several thousand more-approximately 35,000 compared to Cheshire at 29,000. So it is NOT that big of a difference-it is nearly the same NOT the same, I said NEARLY. And the per capita income is ALMOST the same.
The difference, is that Trumbull IS located in Fairfield County and Cheshire is in New Haven so a lot of folks expect Trumbull’s municipal salaries to be higher. OKAY-let’s see.
Now let us look at the Cheshire Town Managers FY 2009 salary appropriation: $130,955; The FY 2009 Estimated Expenditure is $131,551; Department Request: $131,551.
Click here to see Trumbull First Selectmans FY 2009 salary appropriation
Did you see it? That is not a typo-WHATS UP WITH THAT??
All I can say is: IN THE BIN TOWN OF CHESHIRE-IN THE BIN!!!!
NOTE: IF YOU SCROLL DOWN ON THE ABOVE LINK YOU CAN SEE ALL THE TOWN OF TRUMBULL DEPARTMENT REQUESTS AND COMPARE THEM TO CHESHIRE IF YOU HAVE THE BUDGET BOOKLET.
Now let’s compare the Cheshire Town Attorney to Trumbull’s Town Attorney’s budget.
FY 2009 Appropriation: $312,517; FY 2009 Est Exp: $391,880; Fy 2009 Department Request: $311,000; FY 2010 Manager Recommended: $306,000.
Now apparently Trumbull has FOUR attorneys acting as their Town Attorney-FOUR!!
Current hourly rate for Atty #:1: $34.24; Atty 2: $32.37; Atty 3: $32.37 and Atty 4: $31.43.
Dept Request for ALL FOUR ATTORNEYS-$136,614!! First Selectman request-$136,614!!
IN THE BIN CHESHIRE-IN THE BIN!!!!
Now as far as the Police Chiefs salary request goes-it really depends on what town you are in: to be honest, the request is not that much out of line-BUT I believe the Chief should stay where he is right now. It is more than fair.
Let us compare:
Town of Cheshire Police Chief: FY 2009 Estimated Expenditures: $99,354; FY 2009 Appropriation: $102,631; FY 2010 Department Request: $99,375.
Town of Trumbull Police Chief: CURRENT ANNUAL SALARY: $105,995; Department Request: $105,995; Selectman Request-$105,995.
NO INCREASE!!
So Cheshire Police Chief-Stay where you are for now because your increase is IN THE BIN!!
When you click on the above link to Trumbull’s Proposed Budget for 09/10 SCROLL DOWN TO PAGE 17 through PAGE 19 and you will be able to see the Police Officers Rank and File salaries.
All I can say is: the Rank and File in Cheshire are A BIT LOWER. The Trumbull officers make in the mid sixties, but it is not that bad.
Don’t forget-Trumbull IS IN FAIRFIELD COUNTY AND PRICES ARE HIGHER AND SO ARE SALARIES.
I would support the CPD rank and file making a bit more money and in exchange for overtime-ALL OVERTIME NEEDS TO BE ELIMINATED. GIVE THE CPD OFFICERS AN EXTRA STEP. AND STOP USING OFFICERS AS DISPATCHERS.
I mean Trumbull DOES HAVE more commercial development, they have Trumbull Shopping Park and everything but being a police officer ANYWHERE IS DANGEROUS!!
So I am going to say INCREASING the rank and file salaries of the CPD and adding another step:
NOT IN THE BIN!!
So now will you PLEASE take down the Cindy Kleist dartboard in your break room?? THANK YOU!!
As far as working the Fall Festival and the MS RUN-CHARGE FOR THESE EVENTS.
In all honesty, HOW MANY OFFICERS NEED TO BE AT THE FALL FESTIVAL?? It is such a hotbed of anarchy isn’t it. PLUS, like Police Headquarters is right down the street. IF something happens-they can respond almost immediately.
Just have two officers at all times-not half the department!! Let us get serious about cutting costs-NAIL THE CELL PHONES TOO!! STOP PAYING FOR THEM TOWN OF CHESHIRE AND ALL OTHER TOWNS.
STOP USING GRANT MONEY AS AN EXCUSE TO LINE POCKETS WITH OVERTIME MONEY. IT IS NOTHING BUT A FRONT!!
Here are a few examples of other cities and towns Police Chiefs salaries:
Gallup, New Mexico (FYI) The Police Chief makes $68,000 and the Manager makes $100,000!!
But on the other side of the coin:
Redding Ct.s Police Chief makes about $95,000 and oversees a 15-officer department in the 8,900-person town.