The Brookfield Board of Selectmen has voted to send a $91,000 request from the Police Department to the Board of Finance. The money would be used for radio antenna system components, 40 dress uniforms and 30 Tasers. The money is in a police account for capital projects paid for by outside services.
Brookfield is the only department in the area without a Class A uniform. Chief Jay Purcell says they are looking to form an honor guard. That unit could march in parades, attend police memorial services, graduations and various other ceremonies and formal occassions.
The radio antenna system components would be installed on a new cell tower being built off Pocono Road, and installed for free by the cell tower company. Most systems can handle both analog and digital, but Purcell says they expect to upgrade emergency radio equipment in the next few years. By installing the components now, the town could save $20,000.
Switching from analog to digital is estimated to cost about $3 million. The equipment can be used by the Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works and the Board of Education. Purcell said the Board of Ed would use emergency radio equipment to tie in all schools and central office to a command post for any incident that might arise involving the schools.
