The Board of Selectmen (BOS) is seeking to add several new easily-identifiable police cars to its fleet to replace cars that are receiving frequent repairs.

“They’re in the shop as much as they’re not in the shop these days,” First Selectman Angus McDonald said at a July 26 meeting of the Board of Selectmen.

The Deep River Police force is comprised of a resident state trooper and four part-time constables, and the BOS moved to consider the purchase of two new police cars. The force’s newest vehicle is two years old.

While McDonald said the goal is to purchase two new vehicles, he suggested the Board move forward with a proposal to purchase one new fully outfitted car with an estimated cost of no more than $65,000. If approved by the Board of Finance (BOF) and an eventual town meeting, the town could add the second vehicle as an item of discussion for upcoming American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocation.

If approved, the town would purchase a Dodge Charger or Ford Explorer, both common models used by police forces. While town police have not expressed a preference for either vehicle, Selectman Duane Gates said he would like to see a uniform appearance in all town police vehicle. Selectman James Olson agreed, adding that the vehicles should be distinctively marked to be more easily identifiable by residents.

“These cars, unlike state police cars where the state police officers take them home, they’re on the side of the road. I’d like the fact that our residents can look out and see a police car and know it’s a police car driving through the neighborhood,” said Olson.

The $65,000 purchase proposal will head to the BOF for approval.

In addition to adding police vehicles, the Selectmen also discussed the feasibility of adding additional electronic vehicle (EV) charging stations. One of the first municipalities to install an EV charger, Deep River’s sole station is at the library and allows for simultaneous charging of two vehicles. Installed in 2012, the station has been slowly deteriorating and is no longer functioning properly. The town responded by reaching out to Titan Energy, an energy consulting firm, who drafted a proposal for three different models to be used at various locations around town.

Locations for new stations include multiple replacement stations at the Library, and ones at Town Hall, Deep River Elementary School, and a possible fourth location at the Town Landing. McDonald said that he spoke with Titan about installing a charging station at Adams Hometown Market, with the convenience of EV owners being able to leave their vehicles to charge while doing grocery shopping. Other possible locations could include Plattwood Park and Devitt Field.

McDonald said he expects a formal proposal from Titan by the end of August.