Franklin council rejects proposal for new police vehicle
By Scott Baker
FRANKLIN — The Borough of Franklin’s police department has been accustomed to getting a new patrol vehicle every year to replace their highest mileage vehicle. This year, however, Franklin Borough's council voted 3-2 to reject the department’s proposal for a new patrol cruiser.
Mayor Paul Crowley began the discussion by highlighting the department’s regular need for new patrol vehicles. "They get a lot of use,” said Crowley, “a lot of hard miles.”
Over the past few years, Crowley explained, the department has gotten a new vehicle each year and this year an older patrol vehicle is up in the rotating basis. Next year, the police department has already budgeted for a new SUV.
Franklin’s Chief Financial Officer Monica Miebach was on hand at the April 23 council meeting to address the 2014 model Dodge Charger, which would cost the borough “significantly less” than the $33,000 price tag that came with the last patrol vehicle, purchased in 2012.
The Charger was the lowest priced of five options on the state contract, but to take advantage of the current price the borough would need to commit to purchasing the vehicle before April 30.
The proposal immediately raised some eyebrows on the fiscally conservative council. The first question was a simple one posed by Councilman Fred Babcock: why do the police need a new vehicle?
Miebach, who has been in direct contact with the police department, said the older of the current patrol cruisers “is on its last legs” and needs to be replaced.
Councilwoman Susan Gardell questioned why used vehicles weren’t looked into. Crowley pointed out how hard these patrol vehicles need to work. “You’re gonna run it into the ground,” he said.
Crowley pointed out that the last time the department didn’t get a car one year, they needed to get two the next and encouraged the council to keep that in mind as they voted.
In the end, Councilmen Joe Limon and Mark Zschack backed the police department and voted for the new cruiser while Fred Babcock, Nick Giordano and Susan Gardell opposed.