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During Tuesday's Town Board meeting, Supervisor George Hoehmann said changes needed within the department to meet the town's budget goals are supported by the town and the Clarkstown PBA.
Hoehmann said in a statement that he met with the department's administration as well as the PBA four times since receiving the $98,000 final study from the Bonadio Group.
"The goal of these meetings has been to move forward with savings that make sense for each stakeholder--the Police Department, the PBA and the taxpayer without reducing the tremendous services for which the Clarkstown Police Department is known," he said during the meeting.
The savings will be made through retirements and hiring new officers at lower salaries, changes in management’s overtime scheduling as well as additional reductions to overtime, Hoehmann said during his statement.
"I have to say again it has been a truly collaborative and welcomed process that has produced some very good ideas for everyone involved," Hoehmann stated.
Hoehmann added that going forward they will work together to keep a look-out for additional savings.
"The report has served as a blueprint for us to find a minimum savings of $2.75 million in the 2017 budget in less than a month," Hoehmann said.
Clarkstown Police Chief Michael Sullivan, who is currently suspended, declined to comment on the ongoing budget process.
In the days after the report came out, Sullivan had criticized its findings, saying the one person who could help the most--himself--was never consulted on the department's needs. He also said the report is incompetent and believes its recommendations would cost the town more overall, as well compromise safety.
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