BOSTON — Drivers could see lower-paid civilian flagmen replacing expensive police details on secondary streets throughout the state within months if new reforms introduced on Beacon Hill yesterday pass muster.
The change is part of a multi-faceted transportation overhaul meant to save the state millions to address crumbling roads and bridges. The changes will be tacked on to the $4.8 billion transportation bond bill.

Replacing police with civilians on these jobs could save the state $100 million.

"We have to change the way we do business and change the way we use taxpayer dollars," said Senate President Therese Murray, who announced the changes with Gov. Deval L. Patrick and House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi.

DiMasi and Patrick took pains to highlight their close work together on the project during the press conference, their first since DiMasi torpedoed Patrick's bill to legalize three resort casinos last week.

"I want to embrace the plan the Senate president and the governor have brought forward," said DiMasi. "We are all working together to move Massachusetts forward."

The transportation reforms would also take a closer look at performance and spending on state transportation projects while cutting much of the red tape during the bidding process.
"The sheer number of structurally deficient bridges in Massachusetts alone should serve as a vivid symbol of the work we have to do," Patrick said. "The failure to address this in the past has created stress on our infrastructure, an impediment to economic growth and legitimate public-safety concerns throughout the commonwealth."

The current law demands only that construction projects must be overseen, not that police have to do so. Murray said the state could save up to $100 million by using flagmen on both state and local projects, but only on projects which aren't high risk.

But Lowell Police Deputy Arthur Ryan Jr. said lawmakers are being shortsighted by taking police off the details.

"There are numerous incidents where an officer on detail is able to provide assistance, whether it to provide medical assistance or make an arrest," said Ryan. "It also gives us more eyes and ears on the streets."

Sen. Benjamin B. Downing, D-Pittsfield, said there are some places where officers aren't needed.

"I think no matter what position you have, you'd be hard pressed to defend a police officer on a dead-end street," Downing said, adding sometimes the details take active officers away from urgent situations where they are needed. "It's about using our resources more effectively."

Other police unions have opposed the plan, while many local and state police officers often supplement their salaries with details. Lawmakers are taking on another union issue by asking state employees with the MBTA and the Massachusetts Transportation authority to increase their health insurance contributions and dial back their pension reimbursements.

Michael Widmer, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Association, said the bold reforms are much needed.

"All three of those are sacred cows. I think the Senate president and the others deserve a lot of credit in this proposal although there is a lot more work to do," said Widmer, who headed up a group who detailed the state's $19 billion infrastructure needs last year. "Undoubtedly there will be pushback from the unions but I give them credit for moving forward on this."

Senate Ways and Means Chair Steve Panagiotakos, D-Lowell, said the dire economic outlook makes the reforms necessary.

"As you look out onto the economic horizon, there is no doubt there are stormy days ahead," Panagiotakos said. "We have to be ready for it."

Murray would not rule out a gas tax or additional tolls to address the transportation woes, though she stressed they will come far in the future.