Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

FALL RIVER, Mass. -- Fall River could call back two police officers who were scheduled to be laid off next week thanks to a federal grant that was announced today, a spokeswoman for Mayor Robert Correia said.

The city announced this week that it was going to lay off 149 unionized workers, including 53 police officers, and cut the salaries of top administrators and other nonunion employees to close a projected $2.9-million budget deficit.

In addition, Correia said at the time, more than a dozen vacant positions will remain unfilled.

Today was the last day of work for non-civil service employees. The police and firefighters will work through next Friday.

This morning, the White House announced the Massachusetts city is slated to receive $606, 943 under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"I am pleased to learn that Fall River is eligible to receive $606,943 over a four-year period from the Department of Justice's Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant, to help prevent and control crime in our community," Mayor Correia said in a prepared statement. "Every little penny helps during these tight fiscal times and the $151,735 per year award, which we are applying for as part of the grant application, has the potential of returning two police officers to the police force."

 Tags  Fall River Massachusetts police layoffs

Comments

mra said:

are not members of the military jobs protected under the law?

Link | March 8, 2009 8:38 AM
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