Here is an example of a request by a department head which may or may not be filled in the FY27 budget. The request is from Brian Fahey, Sandisfield's interim police chief who also serves as chief of police of Monterey.

"I am requesting that we add a full-time officer for the evening shifts. We have a full-time day shift officer that responds to any and all calls from 8-4 Monday through Friday. I would like to see someone on shift from 4 to 12.

"I have been able to trim our budget so it will only increase about 30 percent. By losing Chief [Mike] Morrison who responded to most evening calls from his home, the majority of the calls were covered. With his dismissal and or his eventual retirement next year we would have faced this crisis eventually. There is certainly a need for another officer.

"The Sandisfield Police Department last year responded to more than 1,200 calls for service which fully justifies the need for another officer. Relying on the state police to respond to Sandisfield for an emergency is just not practical. When an officer is needed for an emergent situation when time is critical, I would feel much more comfortable knowing a Sandisfield officer is close by. Even responding to a burglar alarm when your home is being broken into, having the state police respond from, for example Alford is just not practical.

"We all know that speeding in town is also at times problematic. Having that extra officer doing routine patrols would substantially reduce the speeding, especially on Rt. 8. Since my arrival in town there have been several serious and major accidents on Rt. 8. There have also been domestic-related calls where response time is critical to ensure a positive outcome."