WRENTHAM - The battle over civilian flaggers versus police for roadwork traffic control was brought home at town meeting as voters overwhelmingly approved amending local bylaws allowing the police chief the ability to determine the appropriate level of details to ensure public safety.

A new transportation bill gives the state Department of Transportation the right to use flaggers instead of police to save money, but that has sparked opposition from police unions, and even protests at job sites.

"This gives the town the decision-making process," Police Lt. William McGrath, who had headed the local police union, told voters at last week's meeting.

The lieutenant stressed local police know the town better than the state and outside flaggers, and have enforcement powers, making the roads safer.

The town also takes in about $25,000 a year from local police details from a 10 percent administrative fee charged to utilities using details, McGrath noted. Local police are paid $42 an hour for road details, 1 1/2 times the pay of a sergeant, McGrath said, adding that is part of the police union bargaining with the town.

Flaggers make about $35, which local police make for town department roadwork.

"There is really no big savings," said Glen Pisani, a planning board member who has a construction business that uses road details.

McGrath, who spoke at town meeting on behalf of Police Chief James Anderson, who was not able to attend the session, noted the chief still will have the option of using civilian flaggers on less dangerous roads.

Several states, including Rhode Island, have moved back to using police on road details following fatalities involving civilians.

Massachusetts officials and police unions have been dueling over the issue for several years.

with economy uncertain, town meeting voters postpone several capital improvement projects in the planning stages. PAGE B3