Police, town appear near a settlement

The end appears in sight for a 19-month stalemate between the town of Dover and its police, now that both sides have agreed to settle the contract dispute through arbitration.

The police union says members are eager to sign a new contract because the impasse has hurt morale. Town officials say they want to put the issue behind them.

''We're looking forward with positive anticipation for closure," said Town Administrator David Ramsay. ''It's in everybody's best interest to have a contract."

It is unclear how soon a new deal could be in place, but the Massachusetts Joint Labor-Management Committee has set an arbitration hearing for tomorrow. The hearing, which will be held in the Boston law office of Dover's town counsel, Seyfarth Shaw, will give both sides a chance to present their cases and answer questions.

The three-member arbitration panel is composed of one representative from management and one from labor, both of whom are on the Joint Labor-Management Committee, and an independent arbitrator, who will serve as the chair.

After listening to testimony and reviewing the case, the panel will make a ruling. The decision is binding, subject to Town Meeting approving the necessary funding, Ramsay said.

The two sides have been negotiating since February 2004. The union's contract expired June 30, 2004.

How big a raise the officers should get has been the biggest point of contention. Entering arbitration, the union is asking for 6 percent raises in fiscal 2005, 2006, and 2007. Previously, the union had sought smaller raises along with improved benefits.

Dover Police Association president Eamon Geoghegan said the negotiations have been frustrating because the town has enough money to settle the dispute.

''We're not talking about a tax increase here," he said. ''The money is a nonissue for the town. We're just looking for the same as all other union and nonunion employees in Dover. No more, no less."

Ramsay declined to say what the town has offered in return but said it is a fair contract for the 11 officers and four sergeants in the union and the town's taxpayers.

''Our position is [that] our settlement offer continues the goal of an equitable compensation package," Ramsay said.

Geoghegan said the town's failure to properly pay officers has led to a high turnover rate. He said six full-time officers have left over the past five years and a third of the department is looking for work elsewhere.

''Morale is awful," Geoghegan said, though insisting that ''all the officers remain committed and dedicated to providing the very best in public safety services to the Dover community."

Ramsay acknowledged that the dispute has caused tensions, but said the Dover police are professionals and have continued to do their job.

The town and union filed a petition this spring with the Joint Labor-Management Committee for help. Mediation failed, so the committee ordered a hearing.

While the decision will be final, it is unclear what would happen if Town Meeting did not vote to fund the new contract, Ramsay said.

''We'll cross that bridge if we come to it," he said.