The Wilton Select Board accepted $17,245 in grant funding for police resources following a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 20.
The police department has been awarded a Highway Safety grant of $8,500 and a grant of $8,745 to help offset the purchase of four police radios to be installed in cruisers.
Interim Police Chief John Frechette said the first grant will cover additional patrols for speed, distracted and impaired driving. He said the grant covers overtime hours for four four-hour patrols. The town does not have to contribute money to the grant.
The grant for the radios covers 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing them, with the remainder to be paid by the town. Frechette said he anticipates paying for the town’s portion through this year’s police budget.
Also in the public hearing, the board discussed unanticipated revenue in the form of returned funds from the town’s dispatch service, MACC Base. The town received $15,349.86 in unspent surplus funds.
The board also accepted a donation of $500 from a resident on behalf of the Wilton Ambulance, in recognition of its service.
There were no comments from the public on any of the discussed unanticipated funds. The board, in separate votes for each item, unanimously accepted them.
During the regular board meeting, Frechette also discussed an ongoing maintenance project at the police station. The board previously had approved some maintenance items to be completed, but asked Frechette to obtain at least one more quote for replacing the department’s carpeted floors with tile in most areas.
Frechette presented the original quote he had obtained from Devine Flooring for $10,443, and a quote from Lowe’s for $15,115.
The board unanimously agreed to accept the quote from Devine Flooring and allow the work to proceed.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.