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Branford police commission unanimously approves FY 2026–27 budget with new licenses, radios and boat costs
Summary
The Town of Branford Board of Police Commissioners unanimously approved the police department’s FY 2026–27 budget, which includes increased purchased services tied to plate‑reader licenses, outsourced cleaning, funding for a new patrol boat and capital radio replacements.
The Town of Branford Board of Police Commissioners unanimously approved the Branford Police Department’s proposed FY 2026–27 budget at a special meeting on March 9, 2026.
Police Chief Jon Mulhern presented the budget, saying purchased services rose substantially because of newly negotiated plate‑reader license agreements and a plan to outsource cleaning services. Mulhern also cited increased repair-and-maintenance funding to account for work on a recently purchased police boat. On the capital side, the department requested three new vehicles and portable radio replacements; staff proposed reducing the number of vehicle replacements to help offset the radio costs.
The approval was formalized by a motion from Commissioner Patricia Austin, seconded by Commissioner John Sousoulas; the motion carried unanimously. Earlier in the meeting, Commissioner Janice Heggie Margolis moved to approve the February 9, 2026 minutes, a motion seconded by Commissioner Robert Nash and adopted unanimously.
During the budget discussion Chief Mulhern also reviewed monthly department statistics. He reported the department’s internal estimate that the chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Branford is about 1 in 2,188 compared with 1 in 735 statewide. Mulhern said social‑service and mental‑health calls were down slightly, drug overdoses were up, there were two reported DWI incidents and four vehicles had been stolen after leaving keys in the cars. He attributed an increase in accidents in part to recent snow and weather conditions and said patrol staffing had been bolstered.
Mulhern also summarized recent training: members of the sergeants’ corps attended Supervising Critical Incident Training; Detective Atkinson, Officer Campanelli, Officer Johnson and Captain Watrous attended marine‑unit training on the department’s new marine unit; and Officer Mitchell Carter completed the first phase of Basic Crash Investigation.
The meeting record shows letters of recognition for Lt. Chris Romanello, Detective Marc Andrew and Crime Analyst Michael Smith. The chair praised department leadership for continuing education and training.
The commission did not record any public comments during the public‑comment period. The meeting adjourned at 5:56 p.m. on a motion from Commissioner Patricia Austin, seconded by Commissioner Valerie Wiel‑Wilkins.
