FINANCIAL BUSINESS REQUEST (FBR)
Motion/Request:
title
MOTION to transfer up to $8,863.00 from Police Capital Vehicle Account 21020101-57510 to Police Capital New Equipment Account 21020101-57300 to allow for the replacement of critical accident investigation and reconstruction equipment for Ledyard Police Department.
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Background:
The Department has an Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team consisting of specially trained officers who investigate fatal and serious injury crashes in town. In 2017, the department led the formation of the Southeast Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit in partnership with the Stonington and the Town of Groton Police Departments. These specially trained officers utilize special measuring devices that utilize lasers for accurate mapping and reconstruction of crash scenes. The equipment owned by Ledyard Police Department is now outdated and recently experienced a total failure which delayed the completion of a fatal crash investigation. The department is requesting this transfer of funds to replace the failing equipment.
Department Comment/Recommendation:
Replace the equipment per the attached quote at the state contract price.
Finance Director Comment/Recommendation:
Account #21020101-57510 Police Capital - Vehicle has a current, unencumbered balance of $147,865.
Account #21020101-57300 Police Capital - New Equipment has a current, unencumbered balance of $1.
Mayor Comment/Recommendation:
I support this request in support of a critical role these officers play in accident reconstruction. This team has been deployed in multiple area towns to provide this crucial service.
Meeting Action Detail:
Finance Committee Meeting 07/19/2023:
File #: 23-1823 Version: 1
Type: Financial Business Request (FBR)
Title:
Moved: Ingalls Seconded: Ryan
Action: Recommend to Approve
Minute Note:
Moved by Councilor Ingalls, seconded by Councilor Ryan
Discussion: Councilor Saums stated the Ledyard Police Department has an Accident Investigation/Reconstruction Team that investigates fatal and serious injury crashes in the area. He stated because their equipment has become outdated the department was requesting $8,863.00 be transferred from the Police Capital Vehicle Account (#21020101-57510) to Police Capital New Equipment Account (#21020101-57300) to replace the failing equipment. He noted as discussed in New Business Item #1 (see above) that the transfer of these funds would not adversely impact the Police Department’s vehicle replacement schedule.
Police Chief John Rich provided some background noting in 2017, Ledyard’s Police Department led the formation of the Southeast Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit in partnership with the Stonington and the Town of Groton Police Departments. He stated this Unit was comprised of specially trained officers that uses special measuring devices such as lasers for the accurate mapping and the reconstruction of fatal crash scenes. He stated recently their experienced a total failure of the data collector which delayed the completion of a fatal crash investigation. He also explained that the new laser equipment had a Bluetooth type of communication that would talk with the other end of the equipment, which their current equipment does not have. Therefore, he stated the updated equipment, although it would be the same type of evidence collection process, that it would greatly improve the integration of the digital data, inspections, maps/overlays of the scene that would produce presentations/reports that could be used in court process. He stated this equipment could tell then when the brakes went on, the speed of the vehicle, etc. He stated this $8,863.00 would purchase the critical mapping equipment that would reproduce the accident scene as it was when the Police Officers were doing the investigation.
Councilor Ryan questioned Ledyard received revenue from the other towns who were part of the Southeast Connecticut Regional Traffic Unit. Chief Rich stated that Ledyard was currently partnering with the Town of Groton and North Stonington; and that he anticipated that the new Police Chief of the City of Groton would like to also join the Regional Unit. He explained should there be a fatal accident in one of the Regional Unit Towns that Ledyard would send Police Officers to that town to operate the reconstruction equipment. He stated although Ledyard did not receive revenue from the other Regional Unit Towns that they received “In-Kind” services such as a Canine Unit, etc. that Ledyard would not pay for. He concluded by stating as part of the Regional Traffic Unit that the Towns shared resources and personnel.
Mayor Allyn stated VN Engineers completed a county wide traffic safety study, which showed the most dangerous intersections. He stated that he would share the Report with the Town Council.
Councilor Ryan reiterated as mentioned during New Business Item #1, that Chief Rich anticipated that use of the $8,863.00 from the Police Capital Vehicle Account would be covered by the additional revenue from the Police services provided for construction contractors. Chief Rich stated that was correct.
VOTE: 3 - 0 Approved and so declared
Action: Recommend to Approve