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Selectmen present police contract, two cruiser replacements and body‑worn camera warrant articles
Summary
The Board of Selectmen recommended a three‑year police contract (5% per year), funding to replace two patrol vehicles, and a $102,339 appropriation for body cameras; the board said cameras improve accountability and vendors now include cloud storage and redaction tools.
The Wolfeboro Board of Selectmen on Jan. 15 recommended several police‑related warrant articles including a three‑year collective bargaining agreement, a request to purchase two patrol vehicles, and a $102,339 appropriation to buy 15 body‑worn cameras for active officers.
The proposed three‑year contract calls for 5% wage increases each year (15% total) and expands a length‑of‑service stipend intended to improve retention; the presentation said the contract covers roughly 20 full‑time employees and also covers communications staff under the police department. "This calls for a 5% increase over the course of each year for a total of 15% over the 3 year period," Selectman Dave Senechal said in presenting the article.
On equipment, the police presentation requested $125,274 to buy two replacement vehicles and install ancillary equipment, with $13,000 to come from a police detail revolving fund and the remainder from taxation. Chief Warren told the board the department previously operated as many as 11 cars and now maintains nine; several cruisers are nine years old and over 100,000 miles. "My recommendation is nine is appropriate... We will not be adding to the fleet. They will be replaced," Chief Warren said.
On body cameras, Selectman Paul O'Brien and Chief Warren framed the article as a step to strengthen accountability and transparency. "Body cameras help a lot," O'Brien said. Chief Warren reviewed statute guidance and vendor improvements that have reduced historic cost and storage barriers, citing New Hampshire RSA 105‑D:2 and vendor cloud storage and redaction offerings. He noted statutory limits the RSA imposes, including that interviews with crime victims cannot be recorded without prior consent, certain school‑ground recording limits, and a three‑year minimum retention period for recordings under current practice.
Why it matters: the contract and equipment requests affect personnel costs and the department's operating capacity; the body‑camera request raises procedural and privacy considerations covered by state law. The board recommended the contract and equipment appropriations by 5–0 votes.
Next steps: each warrant article will appear on the March 11 town meeting ballot for voter approval. The town advised residents to contact the police chief or Selectmen with technical questions about vehicle replacement schedules, contract specifics, or body camera policy and storage.
