Selectmen approve equipment purchases, police vests and park repairs; recommend Dunning scoreboard appropriation to council

The New Canaan Board of Selectmen took a series of routine votes on March 4, approving contracts and purchases for public safety, parks and facilities and forwarding a capital appropriation recommendation for Dunning Stadium. All motions recorded in the meeting passed by voice vote and were reported as unanimous.

Animal-control vehicle upfit Captain Ferenga presented a request for $6,925.08 to upfit a newly purchased 2021 Chevy Equinox for animal-control duties with a light bar, decals and other vehicle accessories. The board approved a contract with Specialty Warning in the amount of $6,925.08 to perform the work; the presenter noted an estimated $80 shipping charge could be added by the vendor.

Ballistic vests (police) The police department asked to approve a blanket purchase order with Angel Armor for replacement ballistic vests. The department noted vests are replaced on a calendar cycle and manufacturers guarantee a five-year useful life from manufacture date. The board approved a $10,000 blanket PO with Angel Armor; presenters said the department plans to apply for the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Grant in April, which typically covers up to 50% of vest costs and could be applied to future orders.

Motorola APX radios (emergency management) The emergency management director sought approval to purchase three Motorola APX 8000 all-band portable radios for interoperability. The requested contract with Motorola Solutions totaled $29,881.03. The board approved the purchase; presenters said the radios are intended for incident-management team members and to provide resilient communications while the town evaluates longer-term radio options.

Softball association-funded fence and warm-up turf New Canaan Softball proposed and will fully fund fence replacement and a small artificial-turf warm-up area at Orchard and Water Tower softball fields. Parks staff described replacement of worn fencing, addition of two ~35-foot sections on each back fence and the installation of artificial turf in the warm-up area. The board approved a $40,250 contract with Exterior Living LLC, to be paid from the association's donation.

Dunning Stadium scoreboard and play clocks (capital appropriation recommendation) The Board voted to recommend to the Town Council an appropriation and bonding of $201,000 for replacement of the Dunning Stadium scoreboard and play clocks so the work could be started in time for the upcoming season; the presenters said the item is included in this year's capital budget (budgeted amount cited as $200,000) and the $1,000 differential would likely be covered by fundraising. The recommendation will proceed to the Town Council for final approval.

All of the above motions were approved by unanimous voice vote, per the meeting record.