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Police, ambulance and fire leaders flag rising costs and equipment needs
Summary
Chief Mike Ho-Sing-Loy reported a 6.5% increase in the police budget and ARPA-funded equipment purchases; ambulance and fire representatives said the ambulance contract ends next year with a likely rise in 2026 and described planned purchases of air packs funded by ARPA.
Public safety officials told the Select Board at the Feb. 3 budget hearing that departmental costs and equipment needs are placing upward pressure on the town’s 2025 spending plan.
Police: Chief Mike Ho-Sing-Loy said the police budget is up 6.5%, with salaries accounting for part of the increase and dispatch costs having risen over the past year. He told the board the department used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to buy a new radio/message trailer intended for multi-department use at town events and a new radar device to address speeding complaints on Main Street. The chief said the department will consider additional signage and targeted use of Special Detail Fund revenues to address speeding.
Ambulance and fire: Ned Wilson and Doug Glover addressed ambulance and fire needs. They said the ambulance contract is in its final year and the town should expect a ‘‘considerable increase’’ for 2026. The departments plan to purchase new air packs funded by a combination of Grafton County ARPA funds and town ARPA funds that the town committed to expend in 2024. The firehouse furnace problem was recently repaired, the departments saw an increase in call volume in 2024, and ongoing equipment maintenance remains a budget priority.
Officials did not present a final contract figure for the ambulance provider at the hearing; the Select Board and departments indicated ongoing planning to accommodate the contract increase in future budgets.
