Life is beautiful in my home town...

Milford chief doubles up: Mello to receive $89,700 pension, $97,758 salary

In a surprise move Monday night, Police Chief Keith Mello announced he is retiring this month, but will remain at the helm of the Police Department for another five years under a plan approved by the Board of Police Commissioners.

Mello, 51, will begin receiving his pension, estimated to be about $89,700, after his retirement June 25, and will also receive his base salary of $97,758 when he is immediately rehired under the five-year employment agreement approved unanimously Monday night. Any future raises will have to be approved by the Board of Aldermen, Mello said.

The decision to allow Mello to retire and receive his pension, but continue to serve as chief under a new agreement, came after Mello was ready to leave Milford for another municipality, said Mello and Board of Police Commissioners Chairman the Rev. Carleton Giles.

Link:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/06/15/news/milford/aa1_milford_mello061510.txt

Another article in same paper about 21 teachers being laid off in same town...

Milford schools lay off 21 teachers

Twenty-one teachers lost their jobs as part of the school system’s $2.2 million budget-reduction plan, the district’s top official said Monday.

Acting Superintendent of Schools R. Michael Cummings said in an e-mail to district parents Monday that 21 non-tenured teachers were laid off earlier this month. He said that according to their contract, they have “recall rights” should the district need to hire teachers because of a high number of retirements.

Cummings said Monday there will be other layoffs in other unions, but nothing has been finalized.

The layoffs were necessitated by the city reducing the school board’s budget request for next year, which begins July 1, by $2.2 million. Overall, the school board received a 2.25 percent increase from this year’s budget.

Link:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/06/15/news/milford/bb1mi21061510.txt