Article 23

Shall the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $25,638 to purchase one (1) new Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser with all equipment, lettering, and transfers? In the event this Article fails, two police cruisers already in the operating budget will not be affected. (Recommended by Selectmen) (Recommended by Budget Committee)

Status

• Originator: Police Chief
• Board of Selectmen: 5-0-0
• Budget Committee: 9-1-0 (Farris - no)
• Town Meeting: no changes made during the Deliberative session

Voter's Guide Explanation

This article authorizes the Town to purchase a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser to include all necessary equipment to outfit the vehicle, lettering, and costs associated with transferring the vehicle's equipment. This cruiser is in addition to the two cruisers requested in the existing operating budget.

Backup Data

Photos of Cruiser to Be Replaced

• Cruiser to Be Replaced
• Mileage at 127,773
• Worn Interior
• External Rust Areas
• Front Seats

This article authorizes the purchase of a third marked patrol cruiser for the year 2006. Two additional marked patrol cruisers are in the existing police budget.

At last year's elections, the Town failed to pass a warrant article to purchase two new cruisers. As a result, our cruiser fleet is aging, and the repair costs associated have started to increase.

In 2001, the police department, in cooperation with the CIP committee, Board of Selectmen, and Budget Committee, all supported a cruiser replacement plan of two police cruisers per year.

The goal of the plan was as follows:

• To reduce the age and mileage of the cruisers being replaced
• Obtain the highest resale value for the cruisers being replaced.
• Improve officer safety.
• Reduce associated repair costs.

During the years 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, two new cruisers were purchased each year. In 2005, the warrant article request for two cruisers was defeated.

Since 2001, the yearly replacement cruiser mileage has been declining, as well as the repair costs since 2002. The exception is this year, where the costs for vehicle repair have risen, as well as the projected cruiser replacement mileage. This can be associated with the fact that no new cruisers were purchased in 2005, and additional repairs were necessary in order to maintain the fleet. These costs can be expected to increase as the cruiser fleet ages, as well as the cruiser replacement mileage, unless new vehicles are purchased to reverse the mileage and costs.

The recommendations for police cruiser mileage limits indicate that police cruisers should be removed from service around 70,000 miles or after three years. This gives the department the best value for their money when trading in vehicles and ensures a smaller repair budget due to the vehicle remaining under warranty. Police cruisers are purchased with a 3-year 100,000-mile warranty.

Our goal for our department has been to try to reduce the vehicle replacement mileage a close to 100,000 miles as possible. Unfortunately, due to the high number of miles operated, we have found that an acceptable level would be to have the vehicles replaced before 118-120,000 miles due to excess repair costs.

Our department uses new cruisers for front-line patrol operations. After two years, they are transferred to secondary patrol operations and then to administrative duties for the remainder of their service time.

Of the three cruisers scheduled for replacement in the spring of 2006, one will be eight years old with an estimated mileage of 134,000. The second vehicle will be 7 years old with an estimated mileage of 131,000, and the third vehicle will be six years old with an estimated mileage of 114,000.

In an effort to reduce costs and improve officer safety, our department applied for and has received a Federal Grant called Project 54. This grant provides up to $11,000 per police cruiser for equipment, data, laptops, lighting, and voice recognition software for up to five vehicles.

The Project 54 program is designed to provide a safer operational environment through voice recognition and technology in order to reduce officer-involved accidents while responding to emergency calls or vehicle pursuits. It allows the officer to use voice recognition to turn on emergency lights, activate record or database checks, and switch radio frequencies. It also allows for GPS locators.

It is in the best interest of the Police Officer, the Taxpayer, and the Community we serve to provide the proper and safest equipment available for our officers while performing their duties.

We ask that you support this warrant article.