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.