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Plaistow selectmen table proposed $66,303 police cruiser purchase pending more fleet data
Summary
Selectmen postponed a proposed $66,303 purchase to repurpose the chief’s vehicle and outfit an admin cruiser after members asked for more detail on outfitting, engine hours and alternate fleet uses; the board directed staff to return with additional information at the next meeting.
Selectmen tabled a proposal Sept. 9 to buy and repurpose a police vehicle after board members asked for more information about outfitting and fleet rotation.
Mister Garoche told the board the packet included a memo from Captain Maza proposing “to purchase and repurpose the Chief’s vehicle” and outfit an admin vehicle and radio for a total cost of $66,303. Garoche said the plan would move a 2019 Dodge Charger into detective service and retire a 2013 Ford Taurus with severe electrical issues.
Board members pressed for more detail on why the chief needed the new vehicle rather than cycling newer patrol units into service. One member asked for engine-hours data to supplement mileage figures, saying hours-driven can better show a vehicle’s useful life. Members also questioned whether an admin vehicle would be equipped the same as a patrol car and flagged the roughly $19,000 of emergency-equipment and radio installation that adds to the purchase price.
A motion to table the purchase until board members received the requested information passed by consensus; the item will return at a future meeting. Garoche also said legal counsel had advised the board that the town could use outside-detail funds to buy a vehicle if the vehicle would still be used for details and patrol, and staff said they were working on updated quotes.
