Some may view it as ironic that while calls for defunding police agencies continue to sound across the country, the willingness of Newtown’s police officers to negotiate their latest contract informally actually saved local taxpayers in excess of $20,000 in legal fees.

On Monday, July 20, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to accept a negotiated four-year contract that will provide salary increases matching what was already outlined in the 2020-21 municipal budget, with similar nominal increases going forward through 2024.

The contract also provides for a one percent increase in employee contributions toward medical self insurance for those participating in years three and four of the contract.

The fact that the department’s negotiating team was able to sit informally with First Selectman Dan Rosenthal — a first in his tenure — without involving any protracted legal representation helped bring the contract to a close with a measurable cost savings, he told fellow selectmen.

Rosenthal and Police Chief James Viadero both told The Newtown Bee following the meeting that the most substantive elements of the new contract involved wages and health insurance contributions, and that little else had to be changed or adjusted from previous contracts, including the ability for officers in the bargaining unit to take advantage of a defined contribution retirement program.

Effective July 1, 2020, all police personnel who participate as members of the Nutmeg Independent Public Safety Employees Union (NIPSEU) will receive a 2.25 percent pay increase in year one, a 2 percent bump in year two, and a 2.25 percent increase in years three and four.

All participating personnel will continue contributing 15 percent toward health care coverage in years one and two, with an increase to 16 percent in years three and four. Currently 43 officers participate in the self-managed town health care program — 29 on a family plan, five along with a spouse, and nine on individual coverage.

Ten sick days were also a negotiated point in the contract; added comp time is being provided for any qualified officer involved in training.

Disciplinary Records Retention

The first selectman said all aspects of the contract related to the provision and retention of disciplinary actions remained consistent with state statutory directives, most having a five-year retention period, Selectman Jeff Capeci clarified.

Chief Viadero said any record of suspension or loss of comp time due to a disciplinary action is included in the five-year retention period.

Selectman Capeci asked for more details on the training comp time, and the chief replied that any new hire out of the academy includes 12 weeks of riding along with training officers who must incorporate added duties and “lots of paperwork” to their regular responsibilities.

Chief Viadero also mentioned that he would be looking to attract “seasoned recruits” to fill current and future openings on the local force because new prospective officers “aren’t jumping through hoops to get into the [law enforcement] profession right now.”

The chief and first selectman both said a combination of a four-year contract with set increases, along with a good defined contribution retirement program played a role in recruiting and retaining good officers locally. Capeci added that the force will also soon benefit from a brand new headquarters facility. (See the most recent update on the headquarters on the page A-1 of today’s paper.)

Rosenthal said he was pleased to provide a small added benefit for officers who stepped up to participate in orienting new trainees.

“Showing that level of leadership to new officers coming onto the force is important,” Rosenthal said.