Westborough police outline plan to pursue funding for mobile command post vehicle

Westborough Police Chief Todd Manardi told the town’s Capital Expenses Planning Committee that the department is seeking funding to acquire a mobile command post vehicle intended to support incident command, search-and-rescue operations, school reunification and large public events.

Manardi said the vehicle would provide a secure, climate-controlled workspace with advanced communications, mapping and drone-coordination capabilities and independent power (including Starlink capability) so the department can maintain communications when local infrastructure is disrupted. He said current improvised setups — tents, laptops propped on cars and monitors supported by cones — hinder response during severe weather or night operations.

"This really is a modern necessity in this day and age. It's not something that ... you probably gonna ask, well, how many towns around us have it? None of them," Manardi said, adding that owning a vehicle locally ensures trained operators and immediate availability rather than waiting for regional or state assets that may be deployed elsewhere.

Manardi discussed a multi-pronged funding approach, saying the department will seek federal and state grants and regional grants administered at the state level. He identified the Central Region Homeland Security grant program, a U.S. Department of Justice COPS School Violence Prevention grant (pending) and an EOPS counter-UAS grant as possible sources, and said the department has discussed cost-sharing with neighboring communities. He also mentioned an anticipated Motorola grant of about $50,000 to help offset radio and technology costs.

Manardi described the purchase price as a mid-to-high six-figure estimate and told the committee he was not counting on full grants to cover the entire cost. Committee members pressed on how much grants might contribute; Manardi said a best-case award from the regional Homeland Security program might be roughly $200,000 but added the department cannot be certain such amounts will be available.

He also estimated the vehicle could last at least 15 years with proper maintenance and noted the department would continue to pursue multiple funding avenues rather than relying on a single source.

The presentation included a short video illustrating a recent search-and-rescue operation; Manardi said the clip showed the limitations of current improvised command setups and how the mobile vehicle would improve coordination.

The Capital Expenses Planning Committee did not take a formal vote on funding at the meeting; Manardi was asked to provide follow-up details on grant status and any refined cost estimates.