The Aberdeen Board of Commissioners is expected to sign off on a $15 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
Paul Sabiston, manager of the town, presented a draft budget to the commissioners during Mondayâs board meeting. Taxes would not increase for residents under the proposed financial plan, which earmarks $10.9 million for the townâs general fund and $4.1 million for the water and sewer fund.
âOur projected revenues and projected valuations are good this year,â said Sabiston, adding that the town exceeded $1 billion in projected property valuations for the first time. âThat was quite a mark for us to make.â
The Aberdeen Police Department will begin offering $2,000 sign-on bonuses in an effort to attract new officers.
Addressing town commissioners on Monday, Police Chief Carl Colasacco said the agency is having difficulty filling three vacant officer positions and an investigator opening. He said the pool of applicants has dwindled because of the coronavirus pandemic, with fewer aspiring officers able to attend the classes needed to obtain their Basic Law Enforcement certification.
âStaff has researched police salaries for surrounding municipalities and feels our salaries and benefits are solid and competitive,â Colasacco said. âWe are looking for something to set us apart and create a draw for candidates to want to choose the Aberdeen Police Department versus another police department.â
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During its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, the Aberdeen Board of Commissioners named fire marshal Richard Saunders the townâs Employee of the Year.
Paul Sabiston, the town manager, said the annual award is presented to an employee with a âcommendable personnel recordâ who âperforms their current job duties above expectation,â among other criteria. Saunders, who began working for the town as a firefighter in 2007, will receive a $300 prize and two days of additional vacation time.
âI want to thank the town for having me here and giving me this great honor,â Saunders said. âItâs been a great place to work for a decade-plus and I love it.â