NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of a new police cruiser.

 

The council authorized the transfer of $81,164.81 from the parking meter reserve account to purchase a 2026 Ford F-150 SuperCrew. The account currently has $170,484.16.

 

Chief Mark Bailey said truck will be the supervisor vehicle and can still be used prisoner transport and transporting other items. 

 

"We're going for a police truck is because it's easier for us to get barricades out there, road closure signs out there when needed really quickly," he said. "We do have the trailer that we can get out, but to bring a trailer to an incident like last night's fire on Walnut Street is cumbersome."

 

The SuperCrew has four full-size, front-hinged doors and greater leg-room space in the rear cab. It's actually a little cheaper than the last cruiser, which was purchased this spring for $89,251.16.

 

Bailey said that's because it doesn't have to be fitted out with cameras because the city received a grant to outfit all the vehicles with cruiser and license plate recognition (LPR) cameras. 

 

The current supervisor vehicle will become the K9 cruiser as it already has air-conditioning built in.

 

"I'm trying to have a fleet maintenance program where I'm going to come to you and see if I can ask for a new cruiser every six months," the chief said. "Based on statistics ... we should be on a plan of replenishing our fleet one vehicle, not only every year, but every six months, for what we use it for, for the upkeep."

 

The "every six months" raised some eyebrows but Bailey said the department is spending a lot of money keeping vehicles with upwards of a 140,000 miles on them operational. Instead, he said, the city should be replenishing the fleet and shifting the older vehicles to the Department of Public Works or City Hall. 

 

"I'm not sure how that's feasible financially, given all the other demands on the city," said Councilor Lisa Blackmer. "And given the fact that we only have $170,000 that might gone with the next cruiser. I'm not sure."

 

Auditor Stacy Abuisi said the account is replenished at about $20,000 to $30,000 a year, and has increased in recent years.

 

"Spending 80, getting 30, that's a net loss of 50. It's not going to take long to wipe it out," said Blackmer. 

 

Abuisi responded that "it's also not going to take long to wipe out their budget in their vehicle expense line, which sometimes happens. ...

 

"I know everyone knows the cost for expenses to a vehicle right now, and the labor in itself, is extremely high."

 

Bailey said two officers have some automotive background and have saved the department thousands — but, when vehicles have to be serviced or have an unexpected problem, they have to be taken to the dealerships outside the city, with a second car to bring the officer back. 

 

He said in response to questions that the hybrid models hadn't worked out well because of the cost of parts — a battery can run $900. 

 

The fleet consists of 10 patrol vehicles, the animal control officer's vehicle, the K9 cruiser, an SRT and eight unmarked. The oldest vehicle is a 2013 with 138,000 miles that will be traded in on the next cruiser. The chief said there are vehicles stored around the city that they can't get rid of. 

 

Councilor Peter Breen thought it would be a wash, pointing to $76,000 in repairs in one year. Councilors Peter Oleskiewicz and Ashley Shade thought it important that officers had safe, reliable vehicles. 

 

Councilor Keith Bona again raised the potential of using a mobile online parking meter system that would bring in more revenue. In Keene, N.H., they were still using old meters with stickers directing drivers to the ParkMobile app. 

 

"We have parking lots we're not collecting from," he said. "Center Street parking lot other than the permits, there are not meters, there are not kiosks." 

 

Bona said he's spoken to other communities and the rollout is about four months; the app takes a percentage and the cost to the community is free. People come into his store commenting on the use of quarters, he said; Councilor Andrew Fitch, who also has a downtown establishment, said he's run out quarters when patrons need parking change.

 

"It's honestly a little bit embarrassing, and I think we can get much more money out of this and help the Police Department accomplish their goals if we focus on this," he said. 

 

The councilors also heard from Jesus Leyva on Massachusetts Teachers Association's letter calling on governor and legislators to address the fiscal crisis facing public schools, putting that off until they could get more information; from Planner Virginia Riehl about the capital planning process and from representatives of Berkshire Regional Planning Commission on a Home Modification Loan Program that provides zero-interest loans to make homes more accessible to aging and disabled residents. 

 

The council also bid farewell to Oleskiewicz and Councilor Wayne Wilkinson whose terms are ending at what was expected to be the last meeting of the year. 

 

"I want to express gratitude to Councilor Wilkinson for his 10 years of service of the City Council and his work on the council, especially on the short-term rental ordinance," said President Bryan Sapienza. "And Councilor Oleskiewicz your five years of service on City Council, and especially one notable event is facilitating the Woodlawn Avenue sewer hookup project. I believe you were instrumental in coordinating with the City Public Works and getting that to come to fruition.

 

"I want to thank all the councilors for your service over the past two years, and look forward to serving with our new councilors."