FARMINGTON — Police Chief Jack Peck got approval from selectmen Tuesday to buy equipment with a federal grant.
The Byrne/Justice Assistance Grant of $5,649 would pay for audiovisual technology, safety equipment and a trailer to tow the department’s all-terrain vehicle, according to the grant request.
The cameras, audio microphones and a CopVu camera will aid in the collection of audio visual evidence. The department wants to purchase four compact digital cameras, a DSLR camera kit that allows for better processing of crime scenes than the small digital cameras, a CopVu body-worn video camera and covert audio microphones to install with surveillance video cameras donated by Walmart for the interview rooms of the new police station, Peck said.
The safety equipment includes eight high visibility traffic safety vests and two ballistic vests that officers in plain clothing without concealed body armor can wear when responding to a dangerous call, he said.
The department is also seeking transport for an ATV which was recently donated to them.
The board unanimously approved the equipment purchase.
In other business, the board also approved a court order and judgment that reimburses the town for its legal efforts to remove a trailer from a Maple Avenue driveway.
When a large, older-style trailer appeared in the driveway of owners Benjamin and Jonathan Cummings on June 1, residents started calling the town code enforcement officer.
When the trailer was not moved, the town attorney started court action to remove it.
The trailer was moved in mid-August but part of a court order was for the brothers to make restitution of $649.75 to the town for legal expenses, Town Manager Richard Davis said.
The brothers have already made one installment on the restitution, he said.
According to town zoning laws, no trailers other than those already there are allowed in a village residential district.
In June, the Cummingses told town officials that movers developed a problem with an axle while taking the trailer to Wilton and asked the brothers to allow them to park the trailer till it could be fixed.
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