By Noella May Pickett, Standard Correspondent
HARTLAND — A majority of residents do not feel that the town needs additional police enforcement, according to a survey that was distributed in May.
During this week’s select board meeting Town Manager Bob Stacey announced the results of the police survey to both the board and the public. The survey was distributed throughout the town through the email list. The town received 310 responses “(That) is a good sample for a town our size,” Stacey said.
For the past 20-plus years, Hartland has had a contract with the Vermont State Police Department patrolling the streets and receiving field calls during off-duty overtime hours for about 70 hours per month.
“It hasn’t changed too much over the past 50 years. Fifty years ago the streets were patrolled 100 hours per month. Now it’s at approximately 72,” Stacey said.
The 11-question survey allowed Hartland residents to express their needs and wants in regards to current and future police needs within the town.
The collective expressed a need for 24/7 police services to be available; in addition to increased visibility.
For one question — “Do you feel safe in the community?” — 296 people said they felt safe at least most of the time. One person said they rarely felt safe and two said “not at all.”
“It’s a really good thing that we don’t have a lot of scared people in town,” select board member Gordon Richardson said.
“We also see that residents feel that the drug problem in the area is moderate. We know it’s out there, but it seems to be low-key,” Joe Olmstead, selectman said.
The town has considered partnership with the Windsor Police Department to join a regional police department consisting of the towns of West Windsor and Windsor; in addition to the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department.
Question 11 on the survey addressed these options. A majority of votes stated the Vermont State Police as the preferred agency to provide police services.
“It is possible that there could be a proposal made at next year’s Town Meeting — possibly adding $20,000 to the budget for further policing with the state police,” Richardson said.
This was only a discussion among the select board members. It was said that this topic will get revisited in the near future.
“There’s no rush for an end result to move forward at this time. It appears that the residents are pretty happy,” Matt Peeler, selectman said.
Additionally, one member of the select board, Mary O’Brien, was not present at this week’s meeting; the select board prefers all members to be present during times of decision-making.
During this year’s Town Meeting budgets for the 2016-17 fiscal year $52,000 was set aside for police services and $12,000 for the constable for patrolling. If a proposal is made, it will significantly increase hours of visibility, nighttime patrolling, speed patrol and response time. These factors were the most sought after in survey responses.
“Not everyone filled out all the questions, so the numbers won’t add up for all the questions. Thanks to all who took the time to complete the survey,” Stacey said.
This article first appeared in the June 9, 2016 edition of the Vermont Standard.