Groton RTM Public Safety Committee 4/27/26

The Groton RTM Public Safety Committee meeting held on April 27, 2026, focused primarily on reviewing and approving the proposed budgets for the Groton City Police, Groton Long Point Police, and the Town of Groton Police Department. The City Police budget request was $3,329,163, reflecting a 2.7% increase mainly due to contractual personnel cost increases. The Groton Long Point Police requested $434,500, also a 2.99% increase, covering part-time and full-time officers with cost-saving measures such as using part-time officers to avoid overtime. The Town of Groton Police Department presented a budget of $11,818,557, a 3.5% increase, highlighting significant investments in personnel training, mandated equipment like body cameras, and capital improvements including radio system upgrades. Discussions included interdepartmental cooperation, mutual aid agreements, recruitment and retention challenges, and the financial impact of mandated training and technology upgrades. Motions to approve the budgets were passed unanimously, reflecting support for continued funding of public safety services and infrastructure.