Committee to review Westport public safety staffing

Selectman Richard Brewer, who once led an ad hoc budget committee, would like this new committee to have a similar scope, but with the focus solely on increasing staff to police and fire within the confines of the town budget.

WESTPORT — Public safety staffing is a concern for officials.

So selectmen  agreed to form a budget committee with an aim toward increasing funding for police and fire staff.

Selectman Richard Brewer, who once led an ad hoc budget committee, would like this new committee to have a similar scope, but with the focus solely on increasing staff to police and fire within the confines of the town budget.

“It’s got to start somewhere because there is no money available for it,” Brewer said.

He referenced the SAFER grant that Fire Chief Brian Legendre received authorization to apply for. The grant, Legendre said, will help fulfill his department’s staffing needs. However, after a four-year span, the grant funding will be exhausted and the town will have to devise a strategy to maintain those positions.

This triggered Brewer to suggest a committee.

“You need available funds, “Brewer said. “We have help with the grant in the initial years … but not long term.”

Fellow selectmen agreed to the advisory committee, which will feature the town administrator, Brewer, the police and fire chiefs, as well as a Finance Committee member.

The talk of this committee led to another topic — crashes on Route 177 and other town arteries. Selectmen Vice Chairman Steven Ouellette mentioned that there have been some fatalities there.

Ouellette and fellow selectmen asked the state Department of Transportation to look into changing speed zones on Route 177.

Mary-Joe Perry, a state district highway director, responded that the crash rate on Route 177 is below the state average so zone changes would not be supported. She urged officials to consider changes to the road layout and geometry to mitigate accidents.