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Dover fire, police outline FY27 capital needs including $92,000 SCBA compressor and $100,000 police unit request
Summary
At the Feb. 10 Capital Budget Committee meeting, the Dover Fire Department requested $92,000 for a new SCBA compressor and the Police Department presented FY27 capital items including a grant for 12 Tasers and a $100,000 request toward a new patrol unit and vehicle replacements; committee members asked for more details before acting.
The Dover Fire Department and Dover Police Department presented FY27 capital requests and five‑year projections to the Capital Budget Committee on Feb. 10, emphasizing equipment aging and vehicle replacement needs.
Fire Chief G. Smith requested $92,000 for a new self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) compressor, saying existing equipment is approximately 24 years old while typical life expectancy for such equipment is about 15 years; the department said parts are increasingly difficult to obtain and that certified, computerized filling equipment is necessary to ensure accurate and safe tank fills.
Police Chief J. Vinci presented the department’s capital list, noting the department recently received a grant for 12 Tasers and asked the committee for $100,000 toward a completely new patrol unit and replacement vehicles. The police report said the department had five marked cruisers last year, with one vehicle crushed in a tree incident and another suffering engine failure, leaving the fleet with high-mileage vehicles such as an 85,000‑mile Chevy Blazer and no buffer for additional losses. The department proposed a smaller electric crossover as a replacement option to reduce maintenance and fuel costs.
Committee members asked both departments for specifications, maintenance-cost projections, and funding-source information before making budget recommendations. No appropriation votes were taken during the meeting.
