Milton police to receive 5 percent raise

Milton police officers will see a 5 percent raise later this month after Milton officials decided to make officer salaries more competitive with other municipalities.

The raise comes nearly a year after a Milton committee questioned disbanding the town police department and turning duties over to the state police. That option never officially came before council, but it resulted in the disbanding of the committee while council took a closer look at the salaries paid to Milton's finest.

Compared to nearby towns, Milton officers have been earning significantly less – at least $10,000 less for a starting patrolman, who earns about $34,000 after completing required training. In an effort to bridge the pay gap and curb the tendency for rookie officers to leave to find higher-paying jobs with other towns, Milton Town Council approved $46,200 for officer retention strategies in this fiscal year's budget.

About $20,000 will fund the raises, which were recommended by the town's personnel committee and approved by mayor and council Nov. 2; the remaining money available for officer retention will be used after a new police chief is hired.

“It's a start,” said Capt. John Cornwell, acting chief of the Milton Police Department, after the meeting. “Will it keep people here? No. But it's a start.”

Councilman Sam Garde said while 5 percent is not a huge raise, the personnel committee wanted some immediate action to show that the town is seriously invested in its police force.

The raise was unanimously approved by council, with Council Treasurer Michael Cote voting “reluctantly, yes.” Cote questioned the personnel committee's original recommendation to use the remaining funds to increase salaries for officers based on performance reviews and tenure. Council instead decided to revisit how to use the remaining funds with the help of the committee and future police chief.

The raise will take effect starting in the town's Nov. 9 pay period.