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CALCUTTA - The Axon law enforcement company is probably best known for its body cameras as its name is visible across the top of footage; however, police agencies recognize their prowess in less-lethal weapon technology.
St. Clair Township trustees unanimously voted Saturday morning to upgrade tasers, after hearing a report from Police Chief Brian McKenzie. Their regular meeting had been rescheduled due to their normal meeting date, the first Monday, falling on a federal holiday.
Axon, which is a company based in Scottsdale, Ariz., had been communicating with McKenzie regarding the township's less lethal weapons.
"Only four of ours work," McKenzie informed trustees during his presentation.
He determined it is better to replace them than try to bring them back into workable conditions, as some of them are more than eight years old.
Tasers usually have a five-year lifespan maximum, he added.
Thanks to the initiative of Dakota Wetzel, one of the department officers, the department was able to secure a $10,000 grant to help offset the $42,878 cost, McKenzie explained. He said, between the department's Fraternal Order of Police chapter and the community, there should be money for at least that and they have leads on possible additional funding.
McKenzie approached trustees to approve a purchase order, so they could lock in the price by year end. Otherwise, the department would look to pay an additional $7,000 in 2024.
Trustees agreed, and the police chief expects to possibly see the new equipment as early as April.
During the trustees' reorganizational business, Jordan Williams was retained as board chair and Bob Swickard vice chair.
Meetings will continue to be held at 4 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month, except in the case of a holiday. In the case of a holiday, the board will meet at 8 a.m. the Saturday before their scheduled regular meeting day.
Trustees also designated David McCoy as the fire prevention officer for Calcutta and Matthew Smith on behalf of Glenmoor volunteer fire departments as well as assigned trustee Jim Sabatini to oversee the road department.
Williams, as board chair, will continue to serve on the township's Records Retention Committee along with Fiscal Officer Deborah Dawson.
In addition, the township decided that departments will be responsible for paying their own utilities based on square footage as in years past and reimbursement of mileage for township business would be at 67 cents per mile, which is the standard Internal Revenue Service rate.
They also readopted the standard practice of compensating trustees and paying employee travel expenses.
In other action, trustees:
– Agreed to reduce the speed on Huston Road to 35 mph per McKenzie's recommendation.
– Ratified the contract with St. Clair Township's Fraternal Order of Police #210, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2024, and continues through Dec 31, 2026. Though details regarding the pact were not disclosed during discussions, the union had unanimously accepted the contract, according to trustees.
– Awarded pay increases, as a result of the pact, to non-contractual township employees, such as administrative assistants and road personnel.
– Took no action regarding the contract with McKenzie, even though it was listed on the agenda.
– Extended their fire contracts with both Calcutta and Glenmoor fire departments, which are set to expire at year end. Both pacts will be observed under the same terms until March 31, 2024, while both sides renegotiate. The current contracts appear to have been initiated in 2019, according to comments. An executive session with legal counsel and Dawson for the purpose of the contract negotiations was entered around 8:30 am. No action was expected.