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Police prepares move back to South Avenue; operating ask climbs and capital includes patrol vehicles and firearms replacement
Summary
Chief De Federico outlined a FY26 operating increase and capital program for the police department, including three patrol vehicles (estimated $213,500), replacement of duty firearms and a special training line for firearms transition. The animal control operating budget was reduced modestly.
Chief De Federico presented the police department and animal control portions of the FY26 budget on March 27. The presentation included a $95,179 animal control operating request (a 5.29% reduction year over year) and a department operating summary that the presenter put at about $8,063,967, a 4.93% increase overall.
De Federico said the department will return to the South Avenue building in coming months and that utilities at the new site remain uncertain; he said a facilities manager position was included to manage mechanical systems in the renovated space. The department also moved some one‑time firearms training costs out of recurring operating lines and into a special projects line at the request of the finance office to reflect a one‑time transition to a new duty‑firearm platform.
Capital requests included three new frontline patrol vehicles (cost shown as $213,500 for three vehicles), routine replacements for vests, radios, tasers and body cameras, and the remainder of the duty firearm replacements. De Federico said the department switched its vehicle procurement to Chevy Tahoes and expects eight to ten years of frontline use before cycling vehicles to secondary duties.
On training and range access, De Federico said the department currently sends officers to out‑of‑town ranges (Wallingford, Danbury) and that regional range proposals are under discussion; he said a regional range would require significant capital and possible state funding.
Council members and the chief discussed vehicle cycles, training logistics, and disposal or trade‑in of old firearms and equipment. De Federico said recovered firearms in criminal cases are retained as evidence; otherwise, firearms turned in for disposal are destroyed through the state process.
The presentation closed with council members acknowledging the department’s service and safety role.
