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Selectmen raise concern over mutual‑aid dispatch cost method; broader budget pressures noted
Summary
The board flagged a roughly 36.5% mid‑year mutual‑aid dispatch increase and criticized the assessment‑based billing method; members also noted rising ambulance, sheriff, county and school costs and are exploring capital dispatch options.
Stoddard Selectmen on Jan. 12 discussed a mid‑year mutual‑aid dispatch increase of about 36.5% and criticized the methodology that ties the bill to property assessments, noting the next bill is due April 15.
Members discussed exploring capital dispatch capacity and costs—installing dedicated receivers and lines—while acknowledging those infrastructure options could be significant in cost. The board tied dispatch increases into broader budget pressures, noting an ambulance cost estimate near $67,000, potential county increases of about 10.1%, pressure on sheriff costs, and rising school budget requests; members raised concerns about taxpayer impact.
No formal vote or policy change on dispatch methodology was recorded; the board asked staff to continue cost analysis and return with more detailed options for capital investment versus continued operating charges.
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