WILTON – The need for a better communication system for town departments came before selectmen Tuesday.

Police Chief Dennis Brown presented a proposal to pool any extra budget funds to purchase a two repeater system for $9,369.26 from Radio Communications Management in Portland. The price includes parts, installation and reprogramming of town radios, he said.

Radio communications have been an issue between town departments but there are also issues concerning communications between the police department and Franklin County dispatch and with neighboring communities’ emergency services.

Safety issues cause concern as Brown told the board about a recent high emergency call when he couldn’t hear dispatch on the radio and was trying to get more help.

Brown was asked last year to research a system that would incorporate all radios used within the departments, determine the actual need and develop a plan.

Along with the system from Radio Communications, he also recommended to the board that interest for involvement from other communities be researched as well as potential grant opportunities.

Along with researching options and soliciting bids, Brown and fire Chief Sonny Dunham attended a grant workshop. Grants may be available but would require looking at a more regional communication system, Dunham said.

Use of a tower in Wilton for the equipment has been approved and a donation of portable radios from Bedford, Mass., police has been received.

With the need for a better communication system affecting safety issues, the board agreed to let funds found in existing budgets be used before they become surplus at the end of the fiscal year in June.

In other business, the board approved hiring Steven Brown, Jr., as a reserve officer pending approval by a citizen hiring board. Brown interviewed with Chief Brown and Chief Dunham to help within the office while administrative assistant Tiffany White was out on medical leave but had not gone before a citizen board, which is part of the normal hiring process. The board decided to be consistent and require citizen board approval also.

Employment of another reserve officer candidate, Wayne Drake from New Vineyard, was proposed by Chief Brown. Drake has appeared before a citizen review and is a part-time certified officer, Brown said. The board approved his appointment as a reserve officer.