Town, police to tackle contract, pension

The New Milford police union and town leaders are slated to begin mediation this month to replace the previously arbitrated contract, that expired in June, and to negotiate a new pension plan.

The police union's representative, Barbara Resnick of the United Public Service Employees Union/Cops Unit 47, said she will be have an informal meeting before mediation with town officials to try to "get to the bones of the contract.''

On Feb. 16, the two sides are scheduled to meet with a state mediator.

The goal for both sides is to make a "good faith effort to settle the contract'' without requiring arbitration, scheduled to begin in mid-March, Ms. Resnick said.

Mayor Pat Murphy said the town and union must be mindful of this contract's long-term impact.

This negotiation is not only for the traditional contract but also the pension plan, possibly making the process somewhat more complex, according to both union and town leaders.

The current police pension has long been considered by town leaders as generous, as it incorporates, for officers with 25 years' service or more, longevity and side duty work assignments into the retirement pay calculations.

Pensions are calculated at a maximum of 80 percent of the employee's top three wage-earning years.

Across the state, pension plans for public employees have been under considerable scrutiny, as they are deemed more lucrative than many private-sector employee plans.

Some New Milford police veterans have said they are nervous about what might happen to their retirement benefits with potential changes in the pension plan.

In June 2010, just prior to the arbitrated contract including changes to the medical benefits afforded to retired officers, the department experienced an unprecedented seven retirements, including those of Chief Colin McCormack, Deputy Chief Norbert Lillis and Capt. Michael Mrazik.

With the uncertainty over what might happen to the current pension plan, union officials predict there could be more retirements from among those who are eligible this year.

Personnel director Alan Chapin said no officers have submitted official retirement paperwork.

"We have to find the right balance between what's good for the employees and the town,'' Mayor Murphy said.