Select Board hears police proposal to buy Axon tasers; no decision tonight

The Select Board on June 22 heard a police presentation on a proposal to equip eight officers with Axon tasers and a five‑year certification and service bundle. The presenter described the devices as “neuromuscular capacitators” that disrupt the electrical impulses that coordinate movement, and said a current unit costs roughly $7,000.

The presenter told the board the vendor quoted a bundled five‑year package covering eight tasers, holsters, instructor certification, training cartridges and replacement parts; the presenter cited a bundled total in the $58,398 range and an annualized service and certification figure of about $11,679.68 per year. The package includes replacement equipment if a unit is damaged and covers training rounds and annual recertification obligations for officers.

Board members compared that estimate to an earlier purchase by another agency for older Taser 7 units and were told older models are moving toward obsolescence: “They don't make parts. They don't service them,” the presenter said, adding that buying the current model reduces the need to replace units in the near term.

On use and effectiveness, the presenter said the department deployed tasers roughly six to 10 times over the past year and that the newer models use neuromuscular incapacitation rather than pain compliance. When asked whether the devices work on people under PCP, the presenter said the updated technology can still disrupt neuromuscular response in many cases.

Funding questions dominated the discussion. The presenter said the town does not currently have reserves to cover all eight devices and that the vendor will accept yearly payments under the five‑year plan; board members asked whether grants or reserves could cover initial costs. The presenter said staff is seeking grant opportunities but was not asking for a decision that night.

Several board members expressed support for officers having a less‑lethal option while stressing the need to identify funding. One member asked about a demonstration; the presenter and other members recalled prior demonstrations but said no demonstration was scheduled for that night.

The board did not vote on the proposal. Staff said the vendor (Axon) and Sergeant Kelly had provided supporting materials and that staff would return with more precise cost and funding recommendations when available.

Ending: The Select Board asked staff to continue researching grant options and to return with a clearer funding plan; no formal action was taken at the meeting.