Article Submission:
From the Eagle Tribune
April 13, 2011
Tempers flare in Atkinson over police details
By Cara Hogan
chogan@eagletribune.com The Eagle Tribune Wed Apr 13, 2011, 12:12 AM EDT
ATKINSON — A shouting match broke out Monday night between Police Chief Philip Consentino and Selectman William Friel over controlling police details for roadwork.
The police and Road Agent Edward Stewart presented a memorandum of understanding at the selectmen's meeting, requiring roadwork on busier roads in town to have a police officer on the scene at all times.
Consentino said he's looking out for the safety of town residents.
"I am going to make sure residents are safe coming up to roadwork," he said.
"Any time a lane is closed, an officer should be there. To have uncertified road workers fill in for professionals is not a good idea."
There is a four-hour minimum for detail work and it will cost $46 per hour for a police officer to cover the duty, at a rate of time and a half.
Friel objected because the memo requires Stewart to run "any and all work" past the police.
"This document, as written, says if he runs out in the street to patch a hole quickly, I've got to pay a cop for four hours?" Friel said. "This document is prohibitive."
Consentino argued the police have control over road safety and should be able to judge the situation.
But Friel insisted the selectmen have the final say and shouted back at Consentino.
"This conversation is over, go rewrite the document and come back," Friel said. "You want to fight that battle, let's go."
Though Stewart is named in the memo, he also objected to the arrangement because of its timing.
"A month after Town Meeting, there's no way to fund it," he said after the meeting. "All my stuff has gone out to bid already, my budget is set and that one thing alone would double the cost of labor for every one of my projects."
Stewart said requiring a police detail would slow down his work and increase the cost exponentially.
"All kinds of little jobs take less than an hour to do on a certain road," he said. "To have a four-hour minimum on a detail, it would cost $160 on a detail to do $20 worth of work."
Selectmen's Chairman William Bennett said after the meeting that it's not really about the money. It's a dispute about who has control over the roads.
"The chief wants to make sure that traffic flows well and no one gets hurt, and the road agent thinks there's a lot of places he can work without that," Bennett said. "But we will resolve this dispute eventually."
April 13, 2011 10:59 AM
Atkinson Town Hall
The Norman Rockwellian picture of Atkinson
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
70 comments:
The PD should not be charging the Town for working for the Town since they already get paid by the Town, and the Town taxpayers.
This would amount to making money off yourself.
NO.
This has nothing to do with traffic flow, it has to do with control and extra money for the PD.
Thanks for spelling "temper" correctly in the blog. The Eagle Tribune had a typo in their headline!
Billy Baldwin must need some extra money....
Maybe sue the town again.
It's to fund the "friends of Phil" program. Any officer shows up for ten minutes and gets his $160 cuz he's a friend of Phil and provides unrelenting political support to Phil. Basically its a payoff scheme for favors. Looks like Phil needs more friends. And don't forget to chip a few bucks over to Ted for drumming up all kinds of pothole work.
You guys are looking desperate for new money raising schemes.
Playing the old public safety card again, eh Phil? Of course you are only looking out for the resident's safety. Surrrrrrrrrrrre. It was such a blantant scheme Friel couldn't let is slide. I don't blame Friel for getting upset cause he's no dummy and he doesn't like it when you try and pull a fast one on him. Insults his intelligence. He don't take kindly to you insulting his intelligence in a public meeting no less.
Ted and Phil someday justice will catch up with you.
Just my humble opinion of course
I couldn't agree more with anon.3:51. As for Ted he is doing his job re. the pot holes reported by civilians or not. What ever has happened to flag men/woman? They'd be cheaper to have,besides that the town could hire people who have been out of work and or not on the dole rolls. I cant blame the chief for trying to increase his officers pay checks but at whose expense. . When it comes to the taxpayer economics he is ,as usual, self thinking and feels he and his men deserve the money. That way he has his dept. personal in the palms of his hands . "I got it for you so now when I say or do something back me up. He is a true politician is he not? Time to retire chief.
All I can say is "Constantino is a Control Freak". Also I agree, the Town should have to pay for services by Police if they want to make sure everyone is safe.
The TOWN should not be paying at the detail rate of TIME AND A HALF for their own cops!!
Maybe it's time to consider merging the Atkinson and Plaistow Police Departments. This Chief seems oblivious to the current fiscal crisis. Anyone notice the drop in property values?
Any chance we can get the clip on YouTube?
They do road work mainly during the day when three of the five FT officers are on duty already. Who does he intend to call in for a detail? A PT untrained cop at $46.00 per hour? Give me a break. We don't even have traffic.
When exactly did phil become a union steward?
Last time I checked if the boys in blue were working for the town (PTA,Cuub Scouts, Voting, etc) they do not receive 46.00 per hour. They recieve time and 1/2 their regular rate of pay. This would avaergae the Highway Department 25.00 per hour not 46.00 per hour. Has anyone every contacted a flagging company and asked how much it would cost to hire a "professional flagger"? This is not how much will the guy/gal with their shirt untucked and the butt hanging out of their mout get, how much will the company get paid? I bet it's more than 25.00 per hour.
Finally when did the APD get a raise to 46.00 per hour for a detail. I thought they were the lowest paid in the area at 36.00 per hour, hey Chief are you taking transfers??
I'd love to see the meeting on u-tube. I'd especially like to see the 2 buffoons behind the desks deliberate over where Maurice Ave is? Gimme a break Bill x 2 you park on it, walk on it daily. I bet more people know of Maurice Ave than Kelly Ln.
This is too funny because as I was leaving Mrs Child's reception the other day at ACC, I came across a road work ahead sign. As I approached I observed a police cruiser and a police officer in the middle of the road. I then observed a tree company cutting down trees in someones front yard. One of the tree workers what chatting with an Atkinson Highway worker. This made me think, are we paying for residents trees to to cut down? Tree cutting is a very expensive home improvement.
Come to think of it was the town paying for the Highway employee to watch the trees be cut down. Couldn't he have been picking up trash along the road?
Just wondering??
Hey anon 842, what is a PT untrained cop?
Is it time and a half after 40 hours? After 8 hours? or just 1.5X for gratis?
Do ALL the PT cops have training? Are they fully qualified as police officers or can others fill in for $10.00 per hour?
Hey ' Just Wondering' .... what was the address of the house where the tree company was working?
a FT officers receives time and a half after working 40 hrs of regular patrol work. Details are different. The utility company may be charged 46.00 per hour but 10.00 of that goes to the town. Simply put for every 8 hr detail a cop works the town makes 80.00. Add a cruiser to the mix and the town makes another 80.00. Not a bad deal for the town huh?
tree work was being done on Prov Hill, near the pond
Good job, Bil Friel! It is wonderful to see a selectman who's not afraid to stand up to the bullying Consentino. While Bennett, one of Phil's former police officers, fawns on Phil,
you have the backbone to stand up to Phil and look after the taxpayers' funds.
Phil's statement that the reason he's trying to milk the town of funds for his police department
is to protect public safety is so ridiculous a scam and an insult to any intelligent person.
Scam # 1: How does paying police officers time and a half necessary for public safety? Ridiculous!!
Scam # 2: Considering the fact that there is little or no crime taking place during the day,
just what are his officers doing to earn their pay that is so important that they can't direct traffic during road work as part of their regular salary?
Scam # 3. Why should the residents pay a so much higher price for police officers (time and a half) when civilian road guards can do it so much cheaper?
Scam # 4. Phil is just padding his budget when he insists on a minimum of 4 hour details when a fraction of that time is needed.
Scam # 5. Phil's just attempting another power grab for the police department by saying that they should have control over roads. This egomaniac just doesn't quit in his power grabs.
It is the selectmen who have the final responsibility to look after the needs, well-being and safety of town residents.
Scam # 6. Why should the road agent have to defer his work schedule to the police schedule?
Scam # 7. The selectmen have the final say, not our power-hungry police chief. The selectmen are the final supervisors of any town department as far as expenditure of tax-payers money. The police chief is under the rule of the selectmen and not the other way around.
If Phil argues with his employers and bosses and throws his usual temper tantrum when he can't get his way, the BOS should fire him for insubordination.
" Details are different. The utility company may be charged 46.00 per hour but 10.00 of that goes to the town. Simply put for every 8 hr detail a cop works the town makes 80.00. Add a cruiser to the mix and the town makes another 80.00. Not a bad deal for the town huh?"
BUT THIS IS THE TOWN PAYING ITSELF! THIS IS NOT DETAIL WORK. THIS DESCRIBES THE PD OVERCHARGING THE TOWN.
Detail work is when cops work for outsiders, not work done by the town. Are they going to start charging the town for detail work when you get into an accident now, or call 911, or have a burglary?
This is insane.
Maybe it's time for a half a dozen targeted citizen warrant articles and a special town meeting to get them to vote.
It would only cost as much as separating the EA and PD, $5k, certainly a bargain considering all the roads that need fixing at an additional $46.00 an hour.
Police Dept should be doing this for no charge to the highway department if they feel strongly about the public safety.
Fuzzy math again.
BTW, why is the little league getting quotes from sprinkler companies Jack when the town voted down the sprinklers for the field?
We got a quote misrouted to our mail box that was addressed to the little league.
Mark? What do you think about this?
it's double dipping and not ethical imho
The town doesn't make $80, because at least $4.00/hr is eaten up in benefits, retirement, payroll costs.
Out of the cars $80 comes gas, and maintenance, a car parked and running for 8 hours requires a lot more maintenance than one driving.
Phil is a PT officer with no training
Phil claiming public safety is such a joke. He's overplayed that hand as often as the "vendetta" card. Just how many accidents resulted at the road side repairs in Atkinson? Anyone injured? Anyone killed? And don't bring in statewide statistics from Route 93.
What exactly is the basis for the need? What are the facts? There are probably a hundred other LEGITIMATE public safety issues that need to be addressed in town so what makes this one a priority over those?
Everytime I've driven by one, Ted seems to ensure roadside safety is addressed at all the repair jobs.
What factual basis supports Phil's claim? Are we all in danger all of a sudden? FACTS PLEASE FACTS. GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT PHIL!! Just what happened in town creating this crisis?
Nothing. Just as I thought. You just need to give some $$ favors for votes like always.
Just my humble opinion guaranteed by the first amendment. God you must hate this blog. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
OF COURSE PHIL IS TRAINED, HE IS THA CHIEF FOR CHRISSAKES!
We also applaud Bill Friel for standing up to Consentino! About time someone had the cajones to not quiver & shake when Phil yells! Mr. Bennett is a disgrace. Don't back down, Mr. Friel....Do your job. (I say fire the chief for insubordination!)
Seriously folks, when are they going to do something about this nut? How many lawsuits will it take? This certainly is cause for another round of warrant articles.
Thank you Mr. Friel for showing some integrity. There has been a short supply of that for years.
Watch out for a back lash and remember Mr. sullivan. He tried to fight city hall and could'nt get any help either. Good luck!
Thank you Mr. Friel. This would be a waste of taxpayers $$$. It would be interesting to see statistics for our town & others of our size as to the number of accidents from this type of work. Did the chief present any data, or is this just his thinking of ways to make money. Let's not end up like MA where cops are required for almost all road work, even back country roads where there is little traffic.
Keep up the good work Selectman, and chief stop wasting taxpayers time & $$$.
Thanks, Mr Friel.
I want to say that I don't think this is necessary for all road work so it should not be mandated.
I also agree that the PD should not receive detail rates for working for their own employer.
And yes, to the person who asked about training, unfortunately that is true. By the Chief's own testimony under oath, he has had no training since 1989. Continuing education training or firearms training. And yes, also, he has served continuously without an appointment since May 1, 1999.
To all of you who complimented Bill Friel for taking opposition to Phil's latest money raising scam.
When was the last time you ever saw a Selectmen stand up to Phil? I've been around forever....this is a first for me. And Bill's right, too.
However, watch out Bill Friel...you've just been added to Phil's list of bad guys. Welcome to the club.
Bill has more and more company every day. Thanks Bill.
Any one who missed the meeting should watch it. Chief thinks he owns the roads. Hey Phil, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Bill Friel!
Phil, GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!
NH RSA 41:11 says the selectmen rule the roads. You didn't do your homework. RSA 236 there's no mention of the police chief having authority over roads. Even the planning board has authority to regulate driveways. But not the police chief.
41:11 Regulation of Use of Highways, etc. – Unless regulated by the commissioner of the department of transportation as provided in RSA 236:1, the selectmen may regulate the use of all public highways, sidewalks, and commons in their respective towns and for this purpose may exercise all the powers conferred on city councils by RSA 47:17, VII, VIII, and XVIII, and by any other provisions of the laws upon the subject.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa
/html/iii/41/41-mrg.htm
And the final score is:
Bill Friel: 1
Phil: 0
Sorry, Phil. Looks like you're the LOSER. Bill Friel is the new CHAMPION of Atkinson Political Wrestling!! Congratulations Bill!
Hey Bill Friel,
If Consentino continues with trying to bully you, wouldn't it be time to fire him? If so, the taxpayers of Atkinson will back you up. You are not alone in this situation.
Good luck and we will be watching how things progress.
mo
Bill Bennett, could you quit coddling the special interest groups sucgh as the library, the chief etc. Your behavior is quite dissapointing to me. You will definitely NOT have my vote again!
Please take note of Mr Friel's stance on the issues as he stands for us {the taxpayers}, you might learn something!
Yeah... and Fred too...
Don't forget who was sitting on the board all these years (since 95)
No one was concerned about the numbering of the homes all these years. Why wasn't it seen to before now 2011?
All of a sudden it is an embarassment? Nothing happened til the citizens got fed up with the neglect.
It's time to do a little nit picking on the previous boards that chose to do nothing about the concerns of the voters.
I'll bet there are plenty of un answered guestions out there.
Watching the meeting showed me our own police chief refusing to recognize the law. What an embarrassing display of unprofessional behavior. What struck me the most was a clear disregard for the law by our head police officer. Its not a good example of leadership in any form. What is he teaching others? Especially with a law that is so clear, so black and white.
RSA 41:11 is beyond clear. Selectman control the roads not a policeman. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. I find it impossible to believe after 30+ years in the PD he doesn't know RSA 41:11.
I can only conclude his blatant, public disregard for the law directly contradicts his role as police chief and therefore he should be fired.
He can claim ignorance of RSA 41:11 which I view as a law any police chief must know and his alleged ignorance I would equate with extreme incompetence and therefore he should be fired.
Selectmen: Aren't you sick and tired of it, the endless high maintenance? How much time do you lose every week dealing with it day after day after day? At what cost to taxpayers to keep him? You have the power. Don't be afraid to use it in the best interest of citizens. You have more support for it than you may think. Even those who he believes aren't paying attention are aware -the lost gun incident created a lot of awareness, for starters. You have a majority consensus out there.
All just my humble opinion of course that I'm entitled to.
Don't pay attention to Consentino's constant blustering! He does it to direct attention away from the big issues of the town, which he caused.
Catch those issues and he will be gone.
Just my opinion
.A PT UNTRAINED COP IS THE CHIEF CURLY
So I heard that Lt Baldwin has taken another job in Plaistow. I hope that the Selectmen are proud of themselves. The Board of Selectmen have pushed out another officer. Hopefully he will be more appreciated in Plaistow than he was in Atkinson.
Congratulations to Bill. I never had a problem with him and he helped me many times when no one else would respond. Sorry to see him leave but I'm sure he will be better off.
Why don't the push out the real problem people? The ones not doing the job they were hired to do.
For real? Bill Baldwin is gone to Plaistow?
Who the heck is going to do any real police work now?
Way to retain our best help guys! Maybe you can promote our detective to Lt. The comedy would just get better.
Maybe he woulda stayed if you got rid of the BIG FAT problem you like to keep around. Brilliant management. Absolutely brilliant.
To the poster who made a snide comment about the Detective. Let me tell you something. Detective Farrar is by far one of the best officers on that force. That is right he goes above and beyond to get things done. When a business gets a bad check, and brings it to the PD. Who do you think the person is that gets you the money. The Detective, that is the man. He covered for two years while the LT was away at war. Did he get any thanks from yhe Selectmen? No!! He has helped my business for years when deadbeats give bad checks. You people are all cancerous with your words. When will you people be happy?
To April 20, 2011 9:43 PM
Detective Farrar is the WORST cop on our force next to the Chief. For what we are paying him, the last thing he should be doing is collecting YOUR bad checks. Hire a collection agency to get your job done. Farrer should go the way of Baldwin, except no one would hire him. ATkinson is the end of his road. Hopefully sooner than later.
Get it?
To April 20, 2011 9:43 PM,
I am sorry you feel that way LEON. Hurts when you don't get your way, doesn't? Most crimes that are solved in this town are solved by Detective Farrar. You will never know what you had until its gone!!!!
He is the worst, he lied and refused to help us when he was needed.
He's depressed and is on meds so stop picking on him, it may upset him, poor thing.
Please someone from the PD present a list of all the crimes our detective has solved.
Show us the facts. I guarantee no list will be provided because a list consists of more than one.
A detective is needed for Atkinson? Really? He's so busy he has to do bad check collection on the side.
Writing a bad check in NH is a crime. Are you saying that the Police Department should not handle these crimes? I for one am glad to have a business in a town that the Police Department will help. A petty crime or not, it is still a crime. But then again you don't feel the same way. Probably a Bush supporter. And that is why we are in the trouble we are in. Thank you Detective Farrar, I appreciate you.
Why send an expensive Detective to collect a bad check, when a regular officer could do it for less? Could it be that the Chief needs to schedule "Busy Work"?
Wow, what a town we live in. 59 comments so far and not one about a guy who gets convicted on child pornography charges (see previous article) Guess concern for our pockets is greater than our kids.
Child pornography charges were ajudicated. Stop trying to change the subject. Try following the bouncing ball for once.
Why send an expensive Detective to collect a bad check, when a regular officer could do it for less? Could it be that the Chief needs to schedule "Busy Work"?
The Det. doesn't make that much.
Farrar is OVERPAID to be the Chief's lacky
He may be overpaid, but in my book, he doesn't make that much.
Then let him take a pay cut back to his true worth. That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee, with no cream or sugar. That would be extra. You don't get anything extra with Farrar.
Your defense of the overpaid, underneeded detective is, he isn't paid that much. Brilliant defense.
Then you can write him a check yourself and I won't have to waste anymore of my tax dollars.
Atkinson NH does not need a detective. PERIOD. END OF STORY. You'd never notice it if the detective disappeared tomorrow.
He's another lackey supporter of Phil with a badge. I hope he hasn't lost any guns lately. Phil shoulda accepted his resignation when he offered it.
Just my opinion
I am not defending him, I ONLY said he doesn't make that much, in my opinion. THAT'S ALL I SAID. I'm not a fan.
Farrar should have never been hired let alone allowed to stay with the Atkinson PD. He is a reject from the sherrif's dept and would never find another job anywhere else. Send him home to his Mother where he can watch Simpson reruns all he wants.
Some kids NEVER grow up and he is the best exemple to prove it.
How's that 4 hour minimum detail work following our road agent around all day working for you Con-man? How much longer till your selectmen friends finally bow to your will and make it town policy?
jmuqotmm
To all the people of Atkinson. Congrats that the complete buffoon known as officer Baldwin has moved on from your town. What a clown this guy was. He makes Barney Fife look like a genius. I can honestly say that big city cops that fight real crime do not even consider themselves as being in the same line of work as this dork. I am sure he is busy in Plaistow locking up senior citizens for jaywalking.
Post a Comment