Select Board approves transfer of 2010 police van to Public Works, authorizes purchase of pickup
March 23, 2026 | Milford Board of Selectmen, Milford, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
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The Milford Select Board voted March 23 to transfer a 2010 Ford E‑Series van from the police department to the Department of Public Works and to proceed with purchasing a pickup as the police replacement.
Town officials said the van was bought around 2010 with a 2009 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and outfitted for evidence collection and accident reconstruction. "We applied for a JAG grant... we ended up... buying a Ford eSeries van, a 2010," the police captain told the board, adding the vehicle now has about 7,800 miles and has seen limited use in recent years as department equipment and practice changed.
Officials reported they could not find local grant paperwork but contacted federal grant staff in Washington, D.C., who confirmed the closed grant allowed donation of the vehicle to DPW. The police department proposed replacing the planned SUV purchase with a pickup truck that would serve patrol needs and be shared with DPW; staff estimated a roughly $4,500 net price difference and said DPW Director Lessard offered to pick up that cost.
Selectman Chris Labonte moved the exchange and Selectman Darje seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board asked department leaders to record the recommended motion in the minutes to ensure procurement steps and vehicle reassignment are clear.
Board members asked how the swap would affect the rotation of frontline patrol vehicles. Police staff said the repurposed pickup would not be a frontline patrol cruiser every day but would be accessible to officers and provide better utility for off‑road and maintenance tasks. The captain said the department expects to retire two older cars this year as part of fleet adjustments.
The transfer, and the purchase authorization, were presented to the board as a way to repurpose underused equipment while meeting DPW operational needs. The board directed staff to proceed with the recommended procurement steps and to note the arrangement in the minutes.
Town officials said the van was bought around 2010 with a 2009 Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) and outfitted for evidence collection and accident reconstruction. "We applied for a JAG grant... we ended up... buying a Ford eSeries van, a 2010," the police captain told the board, adding the vehicle now has about 7,800 miles and has seen limited use in recent years as department equipment and practice changed.
Officials reported they could not find local grant paperwork but contacted federal grant staff in Washington, D.C., who confirmed the closed grant allowed donation of the vehicle to DPW. The police department proposed replacing the planned SUV purchase with a pickup truck that would serve patrol needs and be shared with DPW; staff estimated a roughly $4,500 net price difference and said DPW Director Lessard offered to pick up that cost.
Selectman Chris Labonte moved the exchange and Selectman Darje seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. The board asked department leaders to record the recommended motion in the minutes to ensure procurement steps and vehicle reassignment are clear.
Board members asked how the swap would affect the rotation of frontline patrol vehicles. Police staff said the repurposed pickup would not be a frontline patrol cruiser every day but would be accessible to officers and provide better utility for off‑road and maintenance tasks. The captain said the department expects to retire two older cars this year as part of fleet adjustments.
The transfer, and the purchase authorization, were presented to the board as a way to repurpose underused equipment while meeting DPW operational needs. The board directed staff to proceed with the recommended procurement steps and to note the arrangement in the minutes.
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