CHIEF DAVID RICARDI
SOUTHWICK – Preliminary budget presentations were made to the Board of Selectmen last night from two town departments, including the Police Department.
Police Chief David Ricardi offered a detailed outline of his budget requests that differ from the current budget, which appealed to Selectmen Chairman Russell Fox.
“This is very thorough – very well done,” said Fox. “If all the department heads would do this, the budget process would be easier and voters would have no questions at town meeting.”
Ricardi walked through the requests and started by noting a position he originally hoped to have funded was no longer being requested.
“I had hoped to add a dispatcher position to our staff but I don’t think it’s a good spend at this time,” Ricardi said.
Instead, Ricardi said he wanted the dispatch department to have a new battery backup system.
“We found out during a power outage that our battery backup doesn’t work how we thought,” he said.
Ricardi also requested two marked cruisers, which he said cost more than in recent years with a price tag of $69,000. Ricardi said he did switch vendors, which resulted in a $1,400 savings, but the cruisers are no longer Crown Victorias, but Ford utility vehicles instead. Ricardi said the costs include custom fitting the vehicles with cages and police consoles. Currently, the department has five marked vehicles, a detective car, a utility vehicle and the chief’s car.
Ricardi’s budget requests included just under $4,000 for a five-year insurance program for Tasers. Last year, the department received a grant from MMX 338 that was used to purchase Tasers. Ricardi said the plan breaks down to $796 a year for five years, and for signing on to the plan they will receive another weapon free.
Ricardi also wants to add a budget item for Taser ammunition.
“I didn’t realize it would be as expensive as it is,” he said.
Ricardi said every officer who qualifies for a Taser is required to have two cartridges, which cost $30 each. He would like the budget item to be funded at $2,400.
Other weapon needs include shotguns in each cruiser. Ricardi said each one has a 10-year lifespan, and the most recent two in the SPD’s vehicles were purchased in 1995.
A standalone plate cover was also requested, which is a protective plate that an officer can quickly put on in an active shooter situation. Ricardi said in many active shooter situations police face rifles and their regular vests are not enough protection for that kind of weapon. Ricardi also included $1,300 for active shooter training.
A new breakdown of the dive team budget was included as well as two sessions of the Citizen Police Academy.
“We were fortunate to get $3,900 in our operating budget and in this past class we were able to redesign the schedule which gave us significant savings,” said Ricardi.
The class ended up costing about half of what it has cost in the past, which allows the department to offer a second session of the academy.
The last item was $3,000 for new chairs throughout the department.
The Fire Department also made a preliminary budget presentation last night and the town will host budget hearings in early February for all departments.
