Sen. Linares Co-Sponsoring Bill to Help Resident Trooper Towns

Sen. Art Linares (pictured) is co-sponsoring a bill which would reduce the amount of money that towns must reimburse the state for the cost of resident state troopers for overtime and fringe benefits. Deep River First Selectman and Connecticut Council of Small Towns President Dick Smith, Durham First Selectman Laura Francis, and Westbrook First Selectman Noel Bishop have submitted testimony in favor of the bill. The bill calls for the reimbursement for overtime and fringe benefits to be reduced from 100 % to 70 %. Sen. Linares said the proposal will help towns to make sure that their costs are manageable. He said the bill will also enhance public safety by helping prevent towns from being forced to reduce their number of resident troopers.