Cheshire Interim Chief Submits Increased Budget Proposal

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Interim Police Chief Timothy Garner is asking for a budget increase to increase the number of officers and to make the department more attractive to potential hires. 

Garner, who retired as chief in 2022 and stepped in temporarily last fall, also told the Select Board last week that he has been dealing with overdue payments related to police details so as not to lose the funds.

"Since taking back over and following up on a lot of long overdue payments from detail companies, we secured payment on most of them," he said. 

Garner said State Police from the Cheshire Barracks and the Lanesborough Police Department have been helping out when they are able to provide coverage for the town.

"Dealing with staffing issues as best as possible and communicating with MSP of our situation," he said. "I talked to the lieutenant up there, how they're going to help out when they can. The Lanesborough officers have helped out as well when they're needed."

But Town Administrator Jennifer Morse, said the State Police took a long time to respond just the other day.

"We did as town offices have to call the State Police the other day, it took an hour and 20 minutes for them to respond," she said.

Garner said their help is appreciated but is not always reliable, adding it was no fault of their own.

He said the force's budget needed to increase to stay consistent with other towns in the area "to attract quality, well-trained, certified officers."

A breakdown that he provided the board included Becket, Hinsdale, Lanesborough, Sheffield, Otis, and West Stockbridge. Their budgets are currently higher than the Cheshire force, including for chief of police.

He said he submitting his budget early in hopes the town can increase it enough to, hopefully, attract a chief and other officers, especially part-timers.

"I get it, every year we run up against the school department," Garner said. "But that's why I wanted to get here early to get this submitted so you guys can hopefully get behind it and support it and try to find a way to come up with the funding move the department forward to where I think it should be, and be competitive with what's out there, because right now, we're not even close."

The proposed budget would bring the part-time, full-time, general expense, and chief's salary to align with area police departments. It would also boost the salary line from two to three full-time officers. The general expense account would go up to account for body-worn cameras that could also include a translation and a remote access "watch me" feature. 

Garner, who has not accepted a stipend for the interim post, said he wants the town to attract more officers and have someone who can "hit the ground running and have something to support" once he leaves. 

"So we're busy. I mean, a lot of people don't see it, but they are a pretty busy department. So I really would like you guys to get behind it, the budget that's submitted, and hopefully help find a way to make it happen. That's why I came in early with it. And I'm here. I'll stay until you guys figure out what you want to do," he said.

The department handled 3,456 total calls in fiscal 2025, according to information he provided the board. 

Board member said it is most likely inevitable the town's budget goes up.

"I think we're looking at increases no matter what. So we've had initial conversations with regionalization, which is going to be a lot bigger increase. So I think in order to get quality candidates in here and resize the department we're looking at increasing," said Chair Shawn McGrath.

The board has been talking about a regionalization with the Lanesborough Police Department, which will be discussed at next month's meeting.

"I can tell you, I've had interest already for the chief's position in quality, well-trained candidates, but the deciding factor is going to be what they're going to be paid," Garner said.

Lastly, the chief showed an image of new graphics for the cruisers with some minor changes to sizing and color.

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