After more than a year without a contract, the Cape Elizabeth police and the town of Cape Elizabeth have reached an agreement on a new three-year contract.

At an afternoon meeting today (Oct. 26), the Cape Elizabeth Police Benevolent Association, representing police and dispatchers, reached an agreement on a contract that had been in dispute over retirement packages since the last contract expired on June 30, 2005.

While the Cape Town Council still needs to vote on the new contract at a meeting on Nov. 13, the proposed changes are consistent with bargaining instructions from the council, according to Mike McGovern, town manager.

Mark Dorval, Cape Police Benevolent Association president, said the association is pleased with the new contract, but is disappointed police can not rejoin the Maine State Retirement System and plans to try to include a return to the retirement system in the next contract in 2008.

Dorval said the fact that the town agreed to increase its contribution to the retirement package shows the town recognizes retirement benefits were previously insufficient.

The new contract gives police a 7 to 8 percent pay increase in town contributions to police and dispatcher retirement plans retroactively from July 1, 2005. The contribution jumps to 10 percent from July 1, 2006.

There is also a 3 percent pay raise on July 1, 2005 and a 4 percent increase on July 1, 2006 and July 1, 2007. A retroactive pay raise will also be included. The contract also includes changes in uniform allowances and in wellness benefits.

McGovern said the town is glad both parties have agreed to a new contract. McGovern commended the police for providing good service to the citizens of Cape for the 18 months they were without a contract.

For a complete story on the Cape police contract, see the Nov. 2 issue of The Current.