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Plymouth accepts $147,246 from Plymouth State University to offset police costs as town assumes campus policing
Summary
After a public hearing, the Select Board accepted $147,246.88 from Plymouth State University to offset initial personnel and equipment costs while the town assumes campus policing; residents pressed the board about long‑term protections and potential state legislation.
The Plymouth Select Board voted to accept $147,246.88 in unanticipated funds from Plymouth State University to offset police‑department expenses tied to the university’s decision to disband its campus police force and transfer policing responsibilities to the town.
Town Manager Scott told the board the payment represents six months’ worth of a 30‑month agreement and will cover wages for two full‑time officers and one part‑time officer for the current fiscal year, $9,500 for uniforms, $30,000 for tasers and body cameras, $6,500 for cubicle reconfiguration and the transfer of vehicles and other equipment at no cost. Scott said the remaining contract amounts will be recognized in future fiscal years and that the town will invoice the university for the first payment after the board accepts the funds.
Why it matters: The transfer of campus policing shifts operational responsibility and costs to the town. The one‑time payment and equipment transfers reduce short‑term strain on the town budget, but residents asked how the town will be protected if the university does not continue reimbursements after the agreement expires.
During public comment, resident Patrice Scott said she feared the university’s changing priorities could leave the town “on the hook” and urged the board to seek statutory protections. Board members discussed outreach to the town’s state representatives about possible legislation that would require universities to reimburse host communities if they stop providing campus police services. The board agreed staff would draft a letter to the local delegation and that Select Board member Jason would take the lead on that outreach.
The motion to accept the funds was made from the floor and approved by voice vote. The town manager and police leadership said Plymouth Police have prepared staffing schedules and will assume campus crime‑reporting obligations; the university will continue to pay dispatch and prosecution fees outside the agreement.
The board closed the hearing after additional public comments and recorded the acceptance vote. The town will use the funds to invoice PSU for the initial payment and then apply the offset to the police department budget as presented.
