New laptops for Stantonsburg police - Wayne-Wilson News Leader, Fremont, NC

Town Manger Gary Davis presented information on the project to the Stantonsburg Town Council Monday night in the absence of Police Chief John Hunt, who is participating in reserve training.

Mr. Davis told the board that Chief Hunt had applied for a 25-75 grant to cover the cost of purchasing two new laptops and installing them into the patrol cars. Last month, Chief Hunt had estimated that the 25 percent the town would pay would be $3300.

However, Mr. Davis told the board Monday night that the grant had not been funded. That means the cost for new laptops and installation would quadruple – a cost that the town likely could not afford.

But Chief Hunt didn’t abandon the idea of laptop computers, and struck a deal on surplus equipment from the Highway Patrol. He has acquired access to two laptops that are used but in good condition for a cost of $10 each.

Mr. Davis reported that, in addition to that $20 cost, there would be a $2,936.77 charge for purchase and installation of hardware, as well as a $790 charge for purchase and installation of software to access the databases needed.

In addition to the total one-time cost of $3,726.77, the town would also incur a $60 monthly access fee.

Mr. Davis said that the money had not been allocated in the budget for the project, but he considered it a worthwhile investment. He stated that a budget amendment approved by the board could allow extra funds in another account to be allocated to the police department for the project.

The board unanimously approved proceeding with the project.

In another matter of new business, the board discussed a letter written to the board by Councilman Tommy Darden in response to a special session meeting last Monday to determine the contract for mosquito spraying in town.

Mr. Darden expressed that he did not feel that a called session was necessary so close to a regularly scheduled meeting.

Mr. Davis explained that the called meeting was in part due to an emailing error. A few months back, the town’s email system was down and Mr. Davis had given the company his home email address to use temporarily. However, the company had sent the final contracts to that home address, and the email server had immediately identified it as spam.

He said that the contracts were sent in time for the February meeting, but he did not know they were in his spam folder until the Thursday before the called session.

He also explained that he had contacted the company to see if he could send in the forms a day later than the March 10 deadline to avoid a special session, but was told he would not be eligible for funding if the forms were late.

Mr. Darden also said that he didn’t agree that the town manager should be the one out spraying for mosquitoes in town and in Saratoga.

“He’s our top paid employee, and I just think we need him here,” he said. “It’s just not a good use of our money. He runs this town.”

Mr. Davis said he would be happy to let someone else do it, but he didn’t know of anyone certified who was willing. He added that whenever he is out, he has a radio in the truck and his cell phone so that he can be contacted in an emergency.

Mr. Darden said he understood the explanation, but still didn’t agree that the town manager should be responsible.

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Issue of 13 March 2008

Wayne Wilson News Leader
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