North Smithfield approves purchase of Ford Explorer cruiser with JAG grant covering majority of cost

The North Smithfield Town Council approved the purchase and outfitting of one Ford Utility Explorer for the police department on June 16. The total purchase and outfitting cost is $74,931.30; the department will apply a federal JAG grant of $51,995, leaving a balance of $22,936.30 to be paid from the cruiser detail account.

Chief Lafferty (identified in the meeting transcript as the police presentation) told the council that the cruiser’s base cost and equipment package would total $74,931.30 once outfitting — lights, partition, laptop and other police gear — is included. He said the department intended for the purchase to be treated as a replacement vehicle and that the cruiser-detail fund (fees collected for third-party cruiser details) would cover the town’s share after the grant is applied.

The council discussed fleet size, vehicle mileage triggers for replacement, and the town’s policy for moving high-mileage vehicles into a detail fleet. The chief said the department operates about 20 patrol/administrative vehicles and that vehicles move through patrol, administrative and detail roles as mileage and service needs dictate.

Vote and funding: A motion to approve the purchase passed by roll-call vote; named councilors recorded yes votes in the public minutes. The council directed the administration to confirm the cruiser-detail account balance and to proceed with the purchase per the grant terms.

Why it matters: The purchase replaces aging vehicles in the department’s fleet and uses a federal grant to offset most of the cost. The council emphasized fleet maintenance planning and asked for a vehicle inventory and mileage report to inform future replacements.

Ending: The department will proceed to acquire and outfit the vehicle consistent with the grant and town procurement rules; the administration will report on cruiser-fund balances and provide mileage data upon council request.