Selectmen approve $20,000 police transfer and authorize sale of 2014 Chevy Caprice

The Board of Selectmen on Jan. 20 approved a fiscal-year 2026 out-of-series transfer request from the chief of police for $20,000 to cover fuel costs, replacement of end‑of‑life equipment, and increases in ammunition and ballistic-protection costs, and voted to place a 2014 Chevy Caprice (asset #101275) on GovDeals for sale.

The police transfer was presented to the board as an out-of-series request to be forwarded to the Board of Finance if the selectmen approved it. During discussion a member questioned raising the fuel line while market prices have fallen; staff explained the original budget used a guideline of $2.20 per gallon and the town’s locked rate later rose to roughly $2.40 per gallon, creating the need for the supplemental transfer.

On the asset disposition, the board revised a motion concerning the 2014 Caprice (VIN stated in the record) and debated whether to reassign the vehicle to courier duty. Board members and staff told the meeting the Caprice carries high mileage and maintenance issues and is a poor candidate to replace the currently used courier vehicle. One member asked, “Is that what we're still planning to do or will we use the Capri?” and others responded that the vehicle is not worth saving. The board authorized the sale by auction and recorded the approvals by voice vote.

The transcript includes discussion of fleet‑management practices and of options to borrow hybrid vehicles from other departments temporarily; staff said they were exploring hybrid replacements and four‑cylinder options as replacements become due. The board also approved the Board of Selectmen budget later in the meeting.

Next steps: The transfer request will be forwarded to the Board of Finance for action as indicated in the agenda materials; the fleet manager and purchasing staff will prepare the Caprice for public auction.