Rehoboth Select Board approves deep cuts eliminating three police positions before August town meeting.

REHOBOTH — July 23, 2014 — Rehoboth Select Board maps $852,000 shortfall as police, fire, and highway detail consequences of 20 percent budget reductions ahead of an August 7 special town meeting. Acting Police Chief James Trombetta and Lieutenant Ed Brady presented cuts of $362,641 from the department's $2,561,203 budget, permanently eliminating three patrol officer positions, shutting down the detective division, and ending a school resource officer program at Beckwith and Palmer River Schools. Fire Chief Dave Prey and his deputy outlined $36,802 in reductions, warning that cuts to station duty staffing would likely slow emergency response times, and the acting highway superintendent reported $194,184 in cuts that leave the department with six employees to maintain 180 miles of road. Even with all proposed reductions applied, Finance Committee liaison Jerry Schwall confirmed the town still carries an $852,000 deficit, and the board has a joint meeting with the School Committee scheduled for July 29 at 6:30 p.m.