Select Board approves Dodge Charger cruiser after debate over electric options and officer safety

The Brandon Select Board voted May 26 to purchase a Dodge Charger all-wheel-drive police cruiser (option G) as the town's replacement cruiser after reviewing 11 bids and considering the town’s green fleet policy.

Mr. Hopkins presented bids and said the energy committee and officers had evaluated electric and gasoline options. He explained two electric vehicles were competitive on list price but would require additional upfitting—lights, prisoner partition and computer mounts—raising total costs. Chief Cachagian and Officer Keller advised that interior space and officer equipment needs were central to the decision.

Board members repeatedly emphasized officer safety as the primary consideration. As one board member summarized: "the primary consideration here not be given to meeting a fuel efficiency standard or a carbon footprint standard when there's an officer safety standard that really has to have primacy." After discussing warranties, upfitting costs, delivery timelines and budget availability, a member moved to buy the Charger option G and the board approved the motion by voice vote; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

Board discussion also encouraged staff to investigate extended-warranty options and recommended, once staffing stabilizes, that officers have the opportunity to ride in or test electric cruisers in neighboring towns to reassess options for future purchases.

Delivery is expected after the start of the next fiscal year per the bid request; upfitting and warranty details will be negotiated before final acceptance.