Guilford Police To Purchase 4 New Hybrid Vehicles

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Board of Selectmen this week unanimously voted to approve $183,416 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase four hybrid police vehicles.

Additionally, the Guilford Police Department will contract with Soli's Garage in West Haven to upfit six vehicles for a total cost of $109,115.

Deputy Guilford Police Chief Salvatore Nesci went before the selectmen on Monday to make the request, according to minutes associated with the meeting.

Nesci noted the department has had trouble locating and purchasing hybrid vehicles due to supply chain issues and other factors.

Money was budgeted in the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget for the vehicles, but the department requested the funding Monday because the vehicles can be secured now and folded into the existing fleet as needed, the minutes reflect.

First Selectman Matt Hoey said ARPA funds would be appropriate to use, considering the difficulty the police department has had in procuring the vehicles.

The vehicles will not be painted the traditional black and white and will be kept gray, part of a movement to give the department "a fresh new look," the minutes said. The decision will also save money.

According to the minutes, the vehicles are available through MHQ under state contract. MHQ is a municipal vehicle vendor in Connecticut.

The department will take six basic, standard police vehicles and upfit them with components such as lights, sirens, computer mounts, radio wiring and the cage for the backseat, the minutes said.