MONMOUTH -- The town has scheduled an election for Tuesday, Nov. 24, to vote again on the 2009-10 police budget.

After reviewing the survey results from the last election, selectmen concluded that many people wanted a higher budget to reinstate weekend police coverage, which was cut from the previous proposal. The new budget article includes coverage of all shifts from 6 a.m.-2:30 a.m., seven days a week, including Saturday and Sunday. The town has on-call coverage between 2:30 and 6 a.m.

This year's police budget started out $12,000 lower than the previous year. Another $6,000 was cut from the budget and $6,900 was added to revenues from animal control fees, resulting in an impact of $24,900 less than the previous year.

The town tries to run the police department as inexpensively as possible, while providing trained professional officers with reliable equipment.

Many residents have commented about service levels, policy or personnel issues. Some officers have been accused of unnecessary or inappropriate lecturing of citizens during their various interactions. These issues are being addressed at the management level.

The Board of Selectmen also has addressed residents' concerns by establishing a Public Safety Advisory Committee to review complaints, comments and policy issues and increase community involvement in the management of public services.

This month's vote is about the budget; the other concerns are separate issues and are being dealt with separately.

Selectmen also have added a question to the warrant to request an open town meeting if the police budget is rejected again. Although the town's legal counsel has said the town can do this, we are reluctant to do so because it would not be convenient for many and would not allow absentee voting. The step, however, would allow the town to finally adopt a budget.

Selectmen appreciate the many comments we have received. Unfortunately, without a police budget, the town is unable to set the tax rate. Thus, we are unable to send out tax bills and we are forced to borrow to pay the town's bills.

Residents can pay an estimated tax and help reduce the amount the town must borrow. These additional costs are not included in the budget.

Residents are asked to attend a public hearing, scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Monmouth Middle School Gymnasium. The budget vote will be 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Nov. 24 at Cumston Hall. Absentee ballots are available at the Town Office now.

Pauline P. McDougald is chairperson of the Monmouth Board of Selectmen.