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Nelson Select Board sets police-detail rate at $105 an hour and hears police department updates
Summary
The Select Board voted 3-0 to set police-detail charges at $105 per officer hour and $20 per cruiser hour and heard a police update on a zoning violation, an overweight truck warning, and a state grant opportunity to upgrade reporting systems.
The Nelson Select Board voted 3-0 on April 1, 2026, to set the municipal police detail rate at $105 per hour for an officer and $20 per hour for the cruiser, with any funds not covering pay and benefits to go into the Nelson Police Revolving Fund. Selectman Michael Blaudschun made the motion and Chair Brenna Kucinski seconded.
The vote followed an update from J. Filipi, representing the town police department, who told the Board he is preparing a notice of violation for an ongoing zoning case on Nelson Road and will bring a draft to the next Select Board meeting for review and final approval. Filipi said the Board-approved notice will instruct the landowner on actions required to comply with the town ordinance.
Filipi also reported an incident in which an overweight tree-service truck used Log Cabin Road without seeking the Road Agent’s permission; the operator received an initial warning and the Road Agent confirmed no damage. Filipi recommended the Board consider issuing a sterner warning if similar incidents recur.
The department is exploring a state-managed upgrade to computer reporting systems and a 100% reimbursement J-ONE Grant for small communities. Administrative Assistant Edie Drinkwater completed initial town-identification information, and Filipi is gathering equipment and cost estimates to complete the grant application.
Board members discussed pricing for police details, noting Marlborough’s current officer pay at $64 per hour and emphasizing that total vendor costs (including taxes, insurance, and benefits) bring the figure to $105 per hour. Filipi explained vendor logistics: if the town cannot supply an available officer for a contracted detail, vendors will seek coverage from neighboring towns. The Board also discussed the possibility of offsetting the annual Police Capital Reserve contribution with money from the Revolving Fund.
The motion to set the detail rate was carried 3-0. The Board did not identify any abstentions or recusals and made no further changes to police compensation during the meeting.
