Police and fire chiefs ask council to prioritize staffing, vehicles and safety upgrades

Old Town — Police and fire leaders told the Dec. 15 committee that personnel and targeted capital replacements should be priorities as the city finalizes FY2026–27 budget plans.

Police Chief White reported the department has 17 sworn officers, with multiple officers in training, and said staffing is the top priority. White said the department had secured a roughly $40,000 grant to renovate the evidence locker and recommended maintaining a two‑vehicle replacement target to avoid rising repair costs. He also recommended perimeter security work for the police station, saying, "I'd like to have a security fence around the police department," and provided a contractor estimate of about $33,000 for a chain-link fence with an electric gate.

Fire Chief Milan said the department runs about 2,300 calls per year with 24 full‑time staff and asked the council to refill a vacant firefighter slot to even out shifts and reduce overtime (he estimated $45,000–$55,000 annually in overtime costs tied to the shortfall). Milan also discussed ordering a new frontline ambulance, presently estimated at about $375,000 with a 2½–3 year build time, and noted a replacement engine would be a multi‑year, multi‑million dollar effort (roughly $1.2 million, three to four year lead time).

Both chiefs stressed staffing as their primary operational need and said they will pursue grants where available but that many required items (air packs, tactical vests) are mandatory purchases. Councilors and staff discussed options for capital cost‑sharing with contracted service towns and the limits of the town’s capital equipment reserves.

The council did not take formal votes on budget items during the meeting; chiefs were directed to provide cost details and to work with finance staff as the budget process continues.