Kalkaska approves police contract, snow machine purchase

KALKASKA — During a relatively brief, but very busy monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 9, the Kalkaska Village Council thanked a village police officer for his dedication to the village, welcomed a new police officer, approved the purchase of a sidewalk snow clearing machine, agreed to give the Village Clerk additional compensation for FOIA work, agreed to purchase and demolish an abandoned house, and approved a five-year contract with the Kalkaska Police Department. 

Telling the Council that negotiators for the police department had been a pleasure to work with, trustee Diana Needham noted that the negotiations had been very productive, and presented the proposed collective bargaining agreement, which was briefly discussed before a motion was made and approved unanimously to accept the contract. 

Points of discussion on the contract included the proposed wage schedule and additional compensation for officers with EMR Certification and retention bonuses and the financial impact of those factors on the village's budget. The contract takes effect on March 1, 2022, and remains in effect until Feb. 28, 2027. 

Read the full story in our regular edition of The Review. To subscribe to the paper for just $36 a year, which includes access to our full online e-edition, please go to the subscription page on this website at: http://www.antrimreview.net/subscribe/