Staff flags rising police/disptach software costs; board asks for vendor ROI justification

Town staff presented a proposal for additional modules and support for the CentralSquare IMC public-safety software that would increase licensing and service costs above current levels. Staff said the minimum bundle under negotiation is roughly $24,000 (with a possibility to lower) while an alternative (Precision) was estimated at about $40,000 annually; staff asked for the board's awareness before proceeding and promised to seek operational-return information from vendors.

Board members pressed for vendor-provided metrics showing measurable operational benefits — time saved, faster report completion, or improved officer safety — before committing to higher recurring fees. ‘‘If they do nothing, the software is becoming harder and harder to use, the IMC software,’’ staff warned, noting that vendor support and functionality are evolving and that the board should weigh cost against operational impact.