Police chief requests computer upgrades, carpet replacement

TOWNSEND -- Police Chief Erving Marshall made requests to the Capital Planning Committee for several fiscal 2015 projects Feb. 6, including carpet replacement, computer upgrades and the possibility of solar panel installation.

The committee has $200,000 to dedicate to the town's capital projects for next year.

Marshall asked for $32,000 to replace the police station's carpeting, which is 23 years old.

Committee member Carolyn Smart recommended funding the carpet with anything that is left over in the department's operating budget at the end of the fiscal year, but Marshall said there simply wouldn't be enough money left.

"The last few years, I've been borrowing from Peter to pay Paul," Marshall said.

"I agree with you that'd be a great way to fund it if I have the money, but I don't think it's going to be there," he added.

Marshall also requested $15,000 a year for the next three years to upgrade the department's computers.

The request included upgrading the computers, servers, monitors, tape drives, copiers and laptops scheduled for replacement in fiscal 2015 and 2016, Marshall said.

Marshall said the solar panel installation is not his highest priority, but was included in his requests because of the potential cost savings it could bring to the town.

An estimate he received several years ago put the cost of the solar system at $393,000 with a possibility of getting $250,000 in grants to put toward it. However, he said that a new quote would be necessary to be sure of the cost and the savings.

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Police chief requests computer upgrades, carpet replacement