Police Chief Visits Board, Seeks Money to Update Fleet

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - The new chief of police in Windham isn’t wasting any time, keeping the department ready to serve and protect.

Town council members were visited by police chief Richard Selner during a meeting last week, getting financial news they knew was coming.

Selner took the job this past November, swiftly fitting in after replacing Tor Tryland who retired following a lengthy leave of absence.

“I am respectfully in front of the board tonight to present two proposals, one being [the purchase of] a black, 2023 Dodge Durango,” Selner said.

“Second being the quotation for the emergency lights/siren Supervisor Package,” Selner said, noting installation of the needed flashings and warnings are separate from the vehicle acquisition.

There was actually a third proposal related to communications. Selner also gave council members a heads up that “the old radio in 7F386 may or not be compatible with the new wiring.”

7F386 refers to the current Ford SUV cruiser utilized by the chief that has 163,360 (and counting) miles which is why it is being put out to pasture.

“I have been using this vehicle and mechanical issues are becoming worse, such as transmission bucking, leaking brake fluid and doors I am unable to lock due to a mechanism needing repair,” Selner said

“I can’t sugar coat it. It’s getting pretty bad. Sometimes it barely makes it up the mountain. We could put money into it but then we would still have an old car,” the chief said.

“Thank you for your attention to this proposal and I look forward to hearing from you soon,” Selner said. He didn’t have to wait long.

Council members quickly approved all of his recommendations, expecting delivery on the Durango this week from Sawyer Motors in Saugerties.

Selner offered two choices on the Durango, preferring the one with aluminum wheels even though it slightly raised the price.

The paperwork from Sawyer Motors shows the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price is $44,065 but the town is getting the rig for $39,910.

Hooking up the emergency lighting and siren, etc., will be handled by River Valley Radio, headquartered in Westerlo, for $5,188, the invoice shows .

That cost includes the newer radio and wiring. The chief, in a followup phone interview, said that would be more efficient in the long run.

Town supervisor Thomas Hoyt noted the transaction was accomplished by utilizing State bidding, lowering the price tag.

“Chief Selner did his due diligence, also seeing if we could piggyback off the county sheriff’s office, going into a leasing program but it wasn’t an option for the town,” Hoyt said.

While the fleet is updated, the police department is receiving a makeover, expanding its workspace at the municipal building in Hensonville.

All operations are currently in a cramped office on the second floor of the building, including the processing of arrestees which takes place directly across the hall from the town offices.

In the future, the second floor facilities will be set aside for the chief’s office with other duties and patrol officers getting relocated on the first floor.

For many years, the Windham-Ashland-Jewett-Prattsville-Lexington Golden Agers Club held its functions in the same first floor space.

Senior citizens are now gathering in the town’s new ambulance center, on the west end of South Street, clearing the way for the police agency.

The ambulance facility was opened last summer after years of planning, providing emergency services personnel a major upgrade.

Ambulance crews had been operating out of rented quarters on the east end of town that were not set up for the highest professionalism.

That is no longer the situation and ambulance administrator Davia Montie, in an interview, said the difference is noticeable and far-reaching.

“Morale improved immediately. It definitely made our people feel more appreciated and more valued,” Montie said.

“We do long shifts. We are together a lot. We have meals together. It is nice to be in a place with a homey feeling. The bathrooms are better.

“Everything has changed. Residents stop in to get their blood pressure checked, ask questions about medications or just to look around.

“We have the capability to easily wash down the rigs and equipment after a call. We have more applications from people wanting to work for the town of Windham. It is better in every way ,” Montie said.