Town Administrator Derek Sullivan plans to ask the Finance Committee to approve a transfer of the remaining $48,000 in the town's reserve fund to cover unexpected overages in the police budget.

"There's been multiple extended illnesses," which have contributed to the budget overage, Sullivan told Selectmen on Tuesday. "Every time you have someone out on sick leave, we're paying their salary and overtime" to cover the sick officer's shift.

Money is budgeted for the reserve fund each year to cover unexpected expenses. The Finance Committee must approve any use of the money.

Transferring the $48,000 will drain the reserve fund, but it won't cover the full amount that the Police Department has gone over budget. Sullivan did not have the exact amount of the overage on Tuesday.

Sullivan was adamant about sorting out the issue so that the officers' salaries are paid: "I don't want these guys concerned about not getting paid."

Selectman Steve Holmes expressed frustration that the department has not been able to live within its budget and questioned the validity of certain acquisitions, such as jet skis.

"We shouldn't have paid these people overtime to be riding around in the water," said Holmes.

Comparing running the department to running a business, Holmes said: "You can't just spend over [budget] and say, 'give me the money from somewhere else.'"

According to Sullivan, the unexpected retirement of two officers also contributed to the department going over budget.

"We were told they were going to retire the day they sent their letters in," said Sullivan.

While money is tight in every corner of Wareham, Sullivan noted that the price of not funding the salaries on time would be greater.

"If we don't pay them, we will most likely be hit with triple damages when they do get paid," he said.