Police chief warns of staffing strain; may end around-the-clock coverage

Police Chief Bruce Nason presented a proposed report format to the Selectboard on July 13 and said he will produce monthly active-case reports to clarify the nature of calls the department responds to. Nason told the board that backup response times and the time required to resolve some incidents have been lengthy, "sometimes up to several hours," and that the department"may become necessary to discontinue around-the-clock coverage" if staffing levels remain low.

Board members acknowledged the strain on the force. Selectboard member Peeker Heffernan described the July Fourth period as exhausting for the Police Department and said the size of the force needs to be increased. The board discussed reopening contract negotiations as a first step toward addressing staffing levels, and the selectboard encouraged further reporting and follow-up from the chief and town administration.