Officials from the towns of Blandford and Chester came together on Monday to discuss combining police forces. (Photos by Amy Porter)
BLANDFORD – Officials from the towns of Blandford and Chester met on Monday for a second time to discuss the possibility of sharing town services. The agenda for this meeting had only two items; the regionalization of the police department, and the appointment of an interim chief. Currently, Roberta Sarnicki serves as part-time interim police chief for Blandford, an appointment originally set to end on July 31, but which was extended on Monday.
Blandford Board of Selectman chair Cara Letendre said the first joint meeting was held with Chester in June to share ideas and funding opportunities from the state. She said regionalizing the police department was one option they are looking at. “I wouldn’t be comfortable making that decision without having a large public meeting,” Letendre added.
Chester Select Board member John Baldasaro, who serves on the town’s police department, said that their Police Chief, Dan Ilnicky, has looked at some of the logistics.
Blandford Interim Town Administrator Joshua Garcia talked about District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) resources available to planning agencies such as the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), where Garcia is employed as a municipal services manager. He said the towns might consider applying for a grant for a consultant to help them investigate the possibilities.
“There are some towns that have been successful in sharing,” Letendre said, to which Baldasaro added that he had been talking to the chief in Granville, who was looking to explore sharing services with Tolland.
“They are interested in seeing the work we do here. It’s the wave of the future for all the small towns,” Baldasaro said.
Chester Board of Selectmen chair Barbara Huntoon noted the concerns of the citizens around sharing services, including the loss of autonomy. She said the towns are “not financially sustainable.”
“We can’t afford to have 24-hour coverage every day,” said Chester selectman Rene Senecal.
Garcia said a consultant working with the committee would be looking at the overall scope, public engagement, and offer a final presentation when the analysis is complete. He said Hardwick and New Braintree, two towns that did join police forces implemented a pilot for two to three years before going forward. He said questions like who has the power and authority to discipline and hire, and cost-sharing would have to be worked out.
Resident Laurie Boucher asked if Ilnicki of Chester would be the police chief. Letendre said Ilnicki talked about having a police presence in each town
“Adding more clarity to local comment, we really want to find ways to employ folks from the township, said Blandford selectman Eric McVey, adding if there are no candidates, they look at the next town over. Currently Blandford has an interim part-time police chief, and three part-time police officers, none of whom live in town, but all of whom attended Monday’s meeting.
“Either way we go, what I’d like to see is to draft some candidates from the hilltowns and send them to the (Police) Academy as an incentive. I think having at least a few people living in town is worthwhile,” suggested Blandford selectman William Levakis. He said they could set up contracts that stipulate if the town sends someone to the Academy, they have to stay and work in town for a time, or reimburse the town.
“Chester did it with water licenses,” Senecal said. He said sharing services might free up funds for that.
“We did almost that exact thing, and asked candidates to give us three years. There were a couple of candidates who were very successful, and a couple who were not so successful,” Baldasaro added. He said if the towns are going to put together a state proposal, they could request funds for training and recruitment.
“That is something we could share the costs on,” Huntoon said.
Residents and the Blandford Police Department attended the joint meeting.
“What is the ultimate goal with Chester, and as a town, what do we gain? Can I suggest that the public meeting come before the (grant request) letter,” said resident James Crane.
Letendre responded that they are looking at what is most advantageous for the town. She said some of the questions are whether they need a police department, or if by sharing services they can reduce costs. She also mentioned the opportunities for funding.
Crane said that Sharon and Temple, NH did exactly what they were talking about, having one chief, and having officers work the whole area.
McVey said basically it comes down to the budget. “We’re currently budgeted at 26 hours per week of police coverage. Chester is the same. Together, 50 hours. Do folks feel if they call police, there would be a better chance of someone coming,” he asked.
Boucher asked if they were looking at having a police presence in town.
“We’re not looking to take over Blandford, but to have a blended department,” Baldasaro said.
“Towns have been doing this for a long time, just not as refined. Highway departments have been doing this for a long time by sharing equipment. It could be the same thing for police cruisers,” added Senecal.
Interim Police Chief Roberta Sarnicki asked what the police budgets in Chester and Blandford are, and she was told they are approximately $40,000 for each town. Sarnicki said in the two towns they mentioned that are sharing services, Hardwick and New Braintree, one town put in $500,000, the other $100,000.
Letendre asked what their populations are, and Boucher looked it up, saying Hardwick has a population of 999, and New Braintree 2,000. Blandford has a population of 1,259, and Chester, 1,372.
“We could also be looking at funding through grants,” Senecal said.
Resident Todd Paterson asked if they were going to compile statistics, such as how many calls, and how many officers take home cars, for which the town needs indemnification. Paterson also said the future cost of training of police officers is going to rise, because the Law Enforcement Department has said they are not going to cater to part-time departments.
“The budgets are very soon not going to keep officers trained and certified. Richmond doesn’t have a police department. In the future, you’re going to be slapped with a huge cost,” Paterson said.
“This is a long way from being a done deal,” said Huntoon, adding that she would think a consultant would know what any new regulations would look like.
“The climate changes at the statehouse so very quickly. You can’t guarantee those funds will always be there. Let’s say a Chester officer gets sued – does Blandford share any of that,” asked Paterson.
Levakis asked whether the law has changed or is going to require full-time Academy for part-time police officers. Sarnicki said the required hours are increasing every year.
Sarnicki asked what was going to happen when her contract runs out.
Letendre had been talking about posting for another interim chief in Blandford, and saying she hoped Sarnicki would apply. Huntoon said the appointment runs out when somebody else is appointed, and re-posting wasn’t necessary. Senecal said it’s the same with the Highway Department.
Sarnicki said her officers came to the meeting to talk about the process, and to hear about it. They were invited to speak at the Selectmen meeting following, as the Chester Select Board had to leave for their meeting.
After the meeting, Sarnicki said there had been some confusion around the agenda, which listed an appointment for interim chief. She said she would continue to serve the town of Blandford.
Blandford officers Krysten Scapin, Chris Anciella, and Gage Terlik said they all came to the meeting in support of Sarnicki remaining as chief.
“I think she would be a great chief. We need structure. She’s what we need,” Scapin said.
