Amherst Police Contract Extended One Year

The Amherst Police Department will continue its current contract one more year after an agreement between the town and police union.

The Amherst Board of Selectmen approved the agreement, which will go unchanged until 2014. It only includes $17,400 to cover step increases and retirement costs at the department.

Police Chief Peter Lyon said the contract is due to expire on June 30, and negotiations were quick this year in light of tougher economic circumstances for the town.

“Often there is adding or subtracting, but this time we decided to do nothing,” said Lyon. “I think they recognize the difficulties in this economy.”

He said the police union proposed the agreement and the town readily accepted.

Chairman Bruce Bowler said that he is happy that the union came to them with no cost increases and fully supports continuing the current contract.

“We are very appreciative of the union for the offer that they gave us, recognizing that the situation isn’t good out there for the town and the taxpayers,” he said.