Brentwood select board approves $45,000 TASER purchase, swears in new officer

Brentwood’s select board voted to approve a $45,000 purchase of TASER 7 electronic control devices for the police department and completed the swearing‑in process for a newly hired officer.

At the meeting the police chief said the town’s current X2 TASERs are at “end of life” and would no longer be supported for parts, and that the TASER 7s are from “the only company that actually, sells these tasers.” The chief also described a camera integration feature: “If your body camera is not on and you activate your TASER, it automatically turns the body camera on and records it and actually places what time your taser went off.”

Board members questioned procurement rules because the contract amount exceeded the sealed‑bid threshold. The chair noted the town’s purchase policy allows exceptions for sole‑source procurement if documentation shows there is “only 1 known source of purchase and there is no comparable substitute”; the board conditioned its approval on receiving written documentation to place in the file confirming the sole‑source claim.

The motion to accept the bid and encumber funds was made, seconded and approved by voice vote. The board then completed paperwork and proceeded with the swearing‑in of Brandon Cooper, described at the meeting as a certified officer from Southampton.

The board recorded no additional amendments to the purchase at the meeting and asked staff to retain the sole‑source documentation in procurement records. The next procedural steps are contract execution and placement of the firm documentation in the town’s file.