Telegraph photo by ADAM URQUHART After months of negotiations, Nashua Board of Aldermen members this week approved two contracts with the Nashua Police Department.

NASHUA – The city’s police force is currently operating with 18 fewer officers than department leaders believe are needed, but new contracts Board of Aldermen members approved this week could help alleviate the problem.

Although Mayor Jim Donchess disapproved of these two contracts for the NPD amid concerns about an anticipated 11% jump in health care costs, BOA members voted 15-0 in favor of both agreements this week.

Supervisors’ Contract

Donchess said this contract raises wages 3% for four years. The problem the mayor has with raises which go up more than the cost of living is that he does not believe the city’s health care system is stable. He is concerned about creating a situation in which budgets for these departments are not sustainable.

“This particular contract with the supervisors was negotiated, in its entirety before we ever heard anything from the city about the issue with the health care,” Deputy Nashua Police Chief James Testaverde said.

Testaverde joined Police Chief Michael Carignan for Monday’s meeting in support of both contracts, but spoke specifically about the one pertaining to the supervisors. Testaverde said this contract represents the men and women working late at night and early in the morning. The contract represents these sergeants and lieutenants who are the first-line supervisors, which Testaverde said is the most vital level for any law enforcement entity in the nation.

“If you ask any police department, they’ll tell you the first-line supervisors are the most vital to the success of any agency,” Testaverde said.

Although three new officers were sworn in a week ago, Testaverde said they are typically not ready to handle all the duties of a regular officer for at least six months.

“I still hold that we are down 17 to 18 officers. That’s about 20% of our patrol force right now,” Testaverde said.

Testaverde said the Nashua Police Department has to compete with what departments in Massachusetts can provide their officers.

“We came up here for a better way of life and a better community and a better way to do law enforcement, but we’re losing our people,” Testaverde said.

Alderman-at-Large David Tencza said this is not just a problem for Nashua police, as the job market is competitive.

“I think these benefits, or the costs associated with this, goes toward letting the sergeants and the lieutenants know that we value the work that they do and we want them to stay here in Nashua,” Tencza said.

Alderman Richard Dowd said he engaged in an extensive conversation with the mayor, and understands the concerns about health care costs. Dowd has also asked the mayor to speak with the health insurance professionals after the first of the year to learn more about the issues.

“Also, we need to have a discussion as a full group on the budget pressures for this upcoming year and look at what we might have to do as a group going forward to ensure that the tax rate doesn’t get out of hand,” Dowd said. “I look forward to having those discussions after the new year.”

Civilian Contract

Carignan said negotiations regarding this contract, R-18-102, began approximately 18 months ago. Further amendments have since been made to the contract, and Carignan said officials with the department agreed to take the fifth year off the table to make this a four-year agreement. This document deals with raises for civilian employees, such as lawyers and information technology workers.

“That four-year contract, one year has completely gone by, that’s the 2.25(%) wage increase. We are already halfway into the first 3% increase,” Carignan said.

Donchess said health care costs for city employees are projected to increase 11% this year from last year, which reflects a $3 million increase. The mayor is concerned with the pressure an approximately $6 million increase could place on services and on taxes.

For Donchess, there are two points causing trouble with the civilian contract. Firstly, it increases wages over four years with a series of annual 3% hikes.

“While the mayor is correct, and the sick time benefit is not completely erased, it now includes resignation, not just retirement,” Carignan said. “That is after 15 years of service, while other unions in the city have 10 years of service, and it currently reflects one person.”

During a roll call vote, board members unanimously supported approving this contract with 15 yeas.

Adam Urquhart may be contacted at 594-1206, or at aurquhart@nashuatelegraph.com.

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