The Plymouth Common Council heard on first reading the ordinance amendment to implement a salary increase for the Plymouth Police Department during Monday night’s meeting.
Councilmember Gary Cook motioned to suspend the rules and hear the ordinance on second and third reading. Councilman Jeff Houin told members, although he is supportive of a salary and wage increase for the police department, “It’s not necessary or appropriate to make a change in the middle of the budget year.”
Houin went on to comment that the city is in the middle of a salary survey and he didn’t believe that any type of emergency situation exists to support passage of the ordinance amendment at this time. Councilman Houin qualified his comments by saying, “With one opening at the department you had 33 applicants and 26 are moving on to the second step.”
Houin also told members of the city council he would vote against suspending the rules to pass the ordinance on a second and or third reading last night. He also said he would vote against the ordinance amendment.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi told the city council that since there wasn’t a unanimous decision to hear the ordinance on second and third reading they couldn’t proceed at that meeting.
Councilman Cook then suggested advertising for the additional proposal in an effort to keep the pay increase moving forward.
The Clerk Treasurer said the council will need to advertise for an additional appropriation for the local match for the Community Crossings grant. She said they could advertise for both additional and save some money doing so.
At that point Councilman Shawn Grobe also commented that he felt it was premature to seek an additional appropriation for the police department raises until council members have the opportunity to debate the question.
The council approved advertising for both additional appropriations with councilmember Huff, Grobe and Shiloh Fonseca voting against.
Clerk Treasure Jeanine Xaver said the additional appropriation for the wage increase would be almost $110,000 for the second half of this year.
