City set for SAFER grant despite mayor's protests

Figures presented by mayor says city could lose up to $2 million by 2016

MANCHESTER, NH — Despite the mayor's best efforts, a New Hampshire city committee is set to accept a SAFER grant to hire eight firefighters.

Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas, with the assistance of the city Finance Department, compiled a report that said keeping new firefighters and police officers on city payroll after federal grants run out would cost the city millions in 2016.

A committee is likely to approve the SAFER funding and a $625,000 COPS grant from the US Department of Justice to hire police officers, according to the New Hampshire Union Leader.

Gatsas told the newspaper that by accepting the grants, the city was taking on an unsustainable cost.

"The problem is we've never done grants with a (tax) cap in place. I still believe our economy is in a very fragile position," he said.

Opponents say the hiring of more officers is crucial, especially for more crime-ridden areas.