Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Equipment And Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Old Saybrook police commission approves radar units, patrol bicycles and K9 vehicle outfitting
Summary
The commission approved three off-budget expenditures: six Stalker radar units (~$21,468), five patrol bicycles (~$9,330.40), and K9 vehicle outfitting (~$11,789.71). The Chief reported staffing vacancies and projected operating surpluses tied to hiring timelines and discussed facility and radio-equipment maintenance needs.
At its March meeting, the Old Saybrook Police Commission approved three off-budget purchases to support patrol operations and K9 services and received an update on staffing, training and maintenance needs.
The commission voted by voice to approve funding from the driver safety off-budget account for six Stalker radar units and associated accessories in the amount of $21,468; the motion was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote (ayes recorded; no roll-call tallies provided in the transcript).
Commissioners also approved the purchase of five patrol bicycles and accessories from the driver safety off-budget account for $9,330.40 to reestablish a bicycle unit and to equip officers who will attend a national mountain-bike police training course. “We’re going to be sending three of our officers initially and then another two later in the summer,” the Chief said when explaining training and sizing needs for different officers.
Separately, the commission approved $11,789.71 from the K9 off-budget account to outfit an existing department vehicle for K9 operations (lights, siren, cage and other outfitting). Commissioners clarified the appropriation covered outfitting of a vehicle already purchased from the vehicle fund and not the purchase of a new vehicle.
During executive reports the Chief summarized the FY 2025–2026 operating position: at roughly week 18 of the fiscal cycle the field services regular salary account shows a projected surplus (approximately $159,000) driven largely by two vacancies (a captain vacancy and an entry-level officer vacancy), and the department anticipates filling those positions in mid-to-late spring. The Chief also flagged building maintenance needs (recent plumbing repairs and HVAC issues) and noted a recent communications assessment that found some radio equipment nearing 20 years of service, indicating potential capital needs in the coming year.
Commissioners asked for clarifications about accounting classifications (some overtime appearing in odd line items due to town hall coding) and discussed using emergency management funds and grants to support training related to the autism-awareness/search-and-rescue program also presented that evening.
All motions were recorded as voice votes on the transcript (ayes/approved); the transcript did not include roll-call tallies or recorded abstentions for these items. The commission adjourned after housekeeping items and recognition remarks.
