Overall, Town of Highlands Police Chief Joseph Burns has asked the Town Board for $20,000 less than he asked for in his budget request a year ago. But he has also made the case to the board on October 5 that he’d love to have two full-time officers in the THPD.

Members of the board did not disagree with him that it would likely be a good idea. Councilman Tyrone King, who works as part of the negotiating team on police contracts, noted that the department’s part-time officers are currently working on an expired contract, and said, “this is the right time to look at it”, and Councilman Michael Leahy said he believes Rt. 9W running through the center of town alone makes full-time officers needed.

Burns said he just doesn’t want vacant shifts. “Staffing has improved since I took over,” he said, but added that recently he is struggling to get the three shifts a day filled. “I don’t want any vacancies,” Burns said.

A year ago, he asked for a detective position. When the person he had in mind for it moved from the area, he said he hasn’t filled it, noting that takes a long-experienced officer. Burns said they are relying on the New York State Police for investigations currently and he is fine with that continuing.

Supervisor Bob Livsey asked Comptroller Kelly Pecoraro to “run the numbers” on adding two full-time officers and to get back to the board with them. “That will determine if we can put it in the budget,” he said.

With benefits and insurance, an average full-time officer would be likely to earn $130,000 annually, Pecoraro guessed. Police salaries total in 2027 are expected to cost about $560,000. Part-timers do not receive benefits or insurance.

It was also noted that the police union would need to weigh in on the matter. “Although,” King said, “I bet there might be some of our part-timers interested in a full-time job.”

In some other highlights from Burns’ requests – he said he’d like to spend $150,000 on new ballistic vests for his officers. He has a grant of $7600 toward that. He said the THPD also needs six new computers (“they no longer accept any updates,” he said of the current computers) at a cost of $1382 each. The chief also asked for salary increases for department administrative assistant Fran Brunwasser and Dog Control Officer Kathy McGuinness, noting the longtime, “invaluable” service of both.

Burns, like other department heads, also asked for increases in fuel and utility lines, with those prices increasing nationwide. He is not purchasing any new vehicles in 2027, he added, but would like to add bi-weekly cleaning ($2600 total) for THPD headquarters – right now he and his staff and officers handle that.

Also on hand on October 5 were Town Justices Barbara Mennite and Dana Holland. They reviewed their budget requests, including justification for salary increases, with the board.

The Town Board met again on Monday, Oct. 12 and may meet prior to or after the Monday, Oct. 19 regular meeting of the board to continue their work. A public hearing on the budget is planned for Monday, Nov. 2, and a budget must be in place by Monday, Nov. 9.