Kenzie Bok

A City Council hearing on the idea of using civilian flaggers instead of police details on some construction projects got heated Monday as Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association President Larry Calderone refused to surrender the microphone after exceeding the five-minute limit for testimony, prompting councilors to walk out of the hearing, held at the Bolling Building in Roxbury.

The Attorney General’s office last Friday cleared a ballot question that, if approved by voters this November, would shift the balance of power in Boston’s budget process by giving the council the authority to amend a mayor’s budget “in whole, or in part,” and override a mayoral veto with a two-thirds vote.

Last year, as president of the Boston City Council, Kim Janey voted no on former Mayor Martin Walsh’s budget, because it didn’t do enough to cut down on the police budget. Last week, city councilors passed acting Mayor Janey’s budget, while maintaining their criticism of her decision to add more officers to the force.