Finance Committee reviews FY27 public safety budgets totaling millions in requested increases.
Finance Committee · Meeting of March 25, 2026
SAUGUS — Finance Committee reviews public safety budgets as hearing cycle begins. Fire Chief Mike Newbury reported 5,533 emergency calls last year and requested increases totaling $50,000 for overtime, training, and equipment maintenance in the FY27 budget. Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli sought a $383,000 increase (3.5 percent) driven by $291,000 in contractual salary obligations, $42,000 in technology services, and $38,000 for an education incentive program tied to hiring officers with four-year degrees.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree announced the public safety communications modernization project is underway with a $1 million state grant helping fund 911 infrastructure and fiber optics upgrades.
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Source: the Finance Committee meeting of March 25, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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