Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Assets topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves transfer of decommissioned police vehicle to Emergency Management after debate about surplus policy
Summary
The board approved transferring a decommissioned police vehicle to Emergency Management when it becomes available, after a lengthy discussion about long‑term maintenance costs, surplus procedure and the need for a formal town policy governing vehicle transfers between departments.
The Select Board voted Nov. 27 to transfer a decommissioned police cruiser to Emergency Management when the police department declares it surplus. Emergency Management Director Rich Curtis asked for the vehicle, citing the need for a second vehicle to tow trailers, move CERT equipment, and support road closures and sheltering operations.
The request prompted a detailed debate that covered: whether state civil defense law requires a dedicated vehicle for emergency management (several board members said it does not); who bears ongoing registration, insurance and maintenance costs when a vehicle moves between departments; and past practice in which older vehicles were reassigned without consistent board oversight. One board member described a desire to formalize surplus and transfer protocols and to maintain a town inventory of vehicles and trailers.
Curtis said using the cruiser would be inexpensive to outfit for EMD use and would be shared with the fire department for inspections and training. Board members agreed the transfer should come before the board when the police department formally declares the vehicle surplus and asked the town mechanic to inspect the vehicle before final acceptance. The motion passed on a roll call.
