Police chief outlines budget pressures, wins lower-cost body-camera and taser contract

The Ashland police chief told selectmen that higher overtime and increased arrest activity have pushed several police budget lines higher and described steps to cap some costs and modernize equipment. He said overtime has grown because officers are being sent to repeated court appearances and because arrest numbers are up year-to-date.

On equipment, the chief said the department reviewed quotes for upgraded camera systems and taser contracts and negotiated a combined deal with Axon that reduced costs significantly from earlier quotes. “With the lengthy back and forth with Axon, we were able to get our taser contract renewed and 7 body cameras for $47,041.47,” the chief said, adding the package includes a five-year taser contract at a locked-in rate.

Committee members raised procedure and timing questions about collective-bargaining costs: the budget currently reflects a 3% placeholder for union salary increases, the chief said, but the actual contract will be funded via a separate warrant article and adjustments will be made later if final settlements differ. He explained the placeholder process so the budget can proceed while negotiations conclude.

Selectmen later approved a separate motion to purchase a replacement police vehicle (a 2026 Dodge Durango pursuit vehicle) using the Capital Reserve Fund; the purchase order was approved by roll-call vote (see “Votes at a glance”).

The chief also told the board that consolidating computer, phone and camera services under Lakes Region Computer Services helped cut some lines such as telephone and computer system maintenance, and that body-camera and in-car camera costs had been moved between lines to reflect the new procurement.

Next steps: the budget committee will incorporate the equipment and salary placeholders into the draft budget; the vehicle purchase will proceed with CRF funds and upfitting work to follow.