City discusses plans for new police car, ambulance

NORWICH – Although the City of Norwich had anticipated being able to forego buying a new police car this year, unforeseen circumstances have made it likely that the city will need both a police car and an ambulance in 2008.

At the January Finance / Personnel Committee meeting, Police Chief Joseph Angelino told the committee that one police car had been taken out of service in 2007 due to an accident, and that it would need to be replaced. “I had intended to skip the replacement of a police car this year, but last year one was involved in an accident and was totaled,” Angelino explained.

The chief told the committee that while he had requested a member item grant, the money, if received, would probably not be available until 2009. Angelino suggested that the car be purchased prior to receiving the grant, since police cars are manufactured in limited quantities and available for only a portion of the year.

The police chief said the state bid amount for a vehicle identical to those the city uses is currently around $19,437. Currently, the city budget has approximately $15,000 set aside for police department equipment expenses. Angelino told the committee that he hopes to use $8,000 of that money toward the cost of the police car, and transfer an additional $12,000 from capital reserves.

Angelino explained that much of the equipment needed would be transferred from the damaged vehicle to the new one, but added that once a radio and striping details were added to the vehicle, the cost would probably be around $21,000. Sixth Ward Alderman Robert Jeffrey made a motion to recommend council approval for the purchase and funds transfer. Fifth Ward Alderman Paul Laughlin seconded and the motion was passed unanimously.