The Colonie Police Supervisors Association agreed to a contract that would give them their first pay raise since 2011, and on Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Town Board voted unanimously in support of the contract. “I am very pleased to have reached a five-year contract agreement with the Colonie Police Supervisors Association,” said Colonie Supervisor Paula Mahan. “Our goal this year was to negotiate five-year contracts with each of our bargaining units. Five-year contracts greatly reduce the time and energy spent in contract negotiations, and they enhance long-range financial planning.” Nine total police officers will get a pay raise. The six included in the bargaining agreement were lieutenants. The contract will also include an increase in the salaries of the chief of police and the deputy chiefs of police. Even though they aren’t part of the contract, the town tries to keep their raises the same. Their pay will increase 1 percent in 2014 and 2 percent the following years. The town has seven bargaining units and negotiates contracts with each of them individually. The Police Benevolent Association (PBA), which covers the rank-and-file police officers and sergeants, will begin negotiations at the end of the year when their current contract expires. Town accepts bids
Other notable resolutions that passed were agreements with different agencies for medical supplies. The town approved a contract with Physio Control, Inc. in connection to the maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators or AED’s. The town entered a $3,348 dollar contract with Comnetix, Inc./L-1 Identity Solutions to maintain the fingerprinting and digital imaging systems for the police department. A $4,160 agreement was reached with Olson Sign Co., Inc in connection with installing signage on the new Emergency Medical Department Station No. 4. All of the contracts were given to either the lowest bidder or sole bidder in the event there was not competition. Also at the Dec. 10 meeting, three resolutions were tabled so they could be viewed more extensively researched by all members of the board. Those resolutions included contracts with seasonal workers, and a new fee schedule for the Parks and Recreation Department.