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Orange County sheriff reports radio upgrade, explores extended dispatch with Barre City and modest staff growth
Summary
Sheriff Contois told the Williamstown Selectboard the Orange County Sheriff’s Department updated its radio system, is pursuing extended dispatching with Barre City, and is considering adding two staff to a current roster of four; he said contracted services fund payroll and he has paid prior debts.
The Williamstown Selectboard heard an update Dec. 9 from Orange County Sheriff Contois on department operations and staffing.
Contois told the board that "the radio system has been updated" and that the department is "working on extended dispatching with Barre City." He said the office is looking at expanding staff by two positions; the department currently has four personnel, including the sheriff, and all four hold Level 3 certification. Contois said he has paid debts incurred before he took office and expressed caution about growing the workforce because contracted services currently pay payroll.
The information was presented as an operational update rather than as a formal request for additional town funding. The minutes record no vote or formal direction tied to the sheriff's remarks. The details in the minutes identify staffing counts and certification level but do not include proposed salaries, a hiring timetable, or a formal dispatching agreement; the board took the update for the record and moved on to other agenda items.
The board’s consent business that evening included approval of warrants and payroll and the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m. The minutes do not record follow-up tasks directed to staff on the sheriff’s update.
