Plainfield Select Board Renews Mutual Aid Pact, Weighs Police Cruiser Fund

PLAINFIELD -- January 14, 2025, Plainfield Select Board approves mutual aid renewal and recycling policy while deferring police cruiser funding decision. The board voted unanimously January 14 to renew the Tri-State Mutual Aid Agreement covering regional fire department cooperation and to adopt a Buy and Recycling Policy asking town offices to purchase recycled products when available. The board also authorized the chair to sign a Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Sustainable Materials Recovery Program grant contract worth approximately $5,600, earned through strong recycling performance at the town transfer station. Police Chief Justin, joined by two colleagues identified as Ben and Howard, presented three options for a detail-fee revolving fund to reduce future cruiser borrowing, currently estimated at $60,000 to $70,000 every five years, with annual detail revenue fluctuating between roughly $8,000 and $48,000. The board approved a $5,977.50 payment to Novus for new phone system installation and directed the chief to return with a written revolving-fund proposal, with the board appearing to favor option two, a capped police revolving account subject to Town Meeting approval.