BOS approves new contract for resident state trooper


KENT — The selectmen have approved a new contract, agreed upon by the State Police, to continue to have town security provided by a resident state trooper.

The new contract, expected to cost $96,500, was approved at a meeting on Tuesday, June 5.

The contract represents a 16.5 percent increase over the one from this fiscal year, when the program cost the town $83,000. First Selectman Ruth Epstein attributed the increase to a pay raise for Keith Asman, the current resident trooper, due to his number of years of service; and a statewide spike of 6 percent in the cost of the program, Epstein said.

After agreeing to the contract, the selectmen reviewed a report on criminal activity submitted by the police. Selectman Nancy O’Dea-Wyrick objected to the manner in which the report was formatted.

"This doesn’t tell us diddly," O’Dea-Wyrick said.

Epstein suggested that Asman and the Troop L commander meet with the board to discuss the current police presence in Kent. Epstein said she is hopeful that both would attend a June 26 selectmen’s meeting.

With a string of break-ins over the last six months, the selectmen requested that Asman rearrange his service hours to provide occasional evening coverage. Epstein said she had discussed this matter with Asman, who had agreed to the shift in hours.

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