Chief Says Reduction in Grant Funds Could Hamper Trail Enforcement
June 4, 2010
Craig Lyons
Berlin Daily Sun
BERLIN — Due to a
significant cut in grant money for off-highway recreational vehicles, Police Chief Peter Morency said the Berlin Police Department would be put in a difficult enforcement position.Morency said the cut in funding could
create problems for the department’s ability to police and patrol the trail systems without the grant money it had formerly received. During Thursday’s Berlin Police Commission meeting, he said the grant funding was cut from $15,000 to $3,600. Aside from the grant fund reduction, Morency said the department would be further limited by the possible budget cuts.As a response the reduced funding,
Morency said he’s contacted Executive Councilor Raymond Burton and other officials to see if anything can be done to free up any additional funds for enforcement.Morency said given that Berlin
hosts the largest A.T.V. park in the state he would expect the state do its to provide the necessary enforcement for it. While the connector trail through the city opened several weeks ago, Morency said he’s seen some issues already. He added many of these problems are kids acting recklessly while riding on the trails. “We are not going to have the resources to put up with this foolishness,” said Morency.Commissioner Anthony Urban said he feels that 75 percent of the trail users abide by the rules but it’s the 25 percent that are abusing the privilege to ride on the trails. Morency said if riders are unable to follow the rules on the trails, he would recommend closing the trails.
He added at this point in time, he can’t support opening any additional connector trails in the city until the ongoing problems are sorted out. Commissioner Steve Griffin said if people could only follow the rules, there is excellent potential with the people being drawn to the area for the trails.
While on the topic of the department’s future financial situation, the Morency briefl y discussed the department’s ongoing budget process. “There’s still a lot of uncertainty,” said Morency. He added he’s stillunsure what would need to be modified to meet the council’s set budget figure.
Morency said he presented a list of programs that could be cut under next year’s budget to the council. He added it wasn’t done in a threatening manner, but to provide the council with a picture of the services the department supplies to the community and what could be lost.
“I just don’t want there to be any surprises,” said Morency. As a result of the budget situation, Morency said he’s looking at several services the department might need to start charging a fee for. He added this would be a service such as domestic property exchanges. “Some things we need to cut and some things we need to charge for,” said Morency.
In other business, Morency said the employees are set to move a proposal of insurance changes and contract concessions offer forward to the City Council. He added it is slated to be before them Monday night.
He said while the offer may not seem like a significant amount, it will be compounded over time. “I think what they’re doing is phenomenal,” said Griffin.