Kent hears proposal for state trooper stationed at school

KENT — Responding to recent school shootings, particularly citing Uvalde, Texas, the Kent Board of Education has been reviewing security at Kent Center School (KCS), leading them to propose hiring a second resident state trooper for the town.

The proposal was heard by the Board of Selectmen at a special meeting on Wednesday, July 13.

The KCS Safety Committee has studied hiring a School Safety Officer, but then decided to approach the selectmen with an idea of hiring a second state trooper who would be stationed at the school during the school year and available to the town for the summer months when speeding and traffic safety issues arise. The town and the school would share the expenses proportionately.

The cost for a second trooper is estimated at $187,000 to be split 70/30 under the plan, with the school paying the greater percentage.

Board of Education member Scott Trabucco said  other options have been considered, including hiring a retired police officer, but that person would have no authority to act as a police officer, as a trooper would be able to respond.

“This might be an opportunity to solve two problems,” Trabucco said, “gaining greater security for KCS and to have more coverage for the town during the busy season.”

Region One Superintendent Lisa Carter noted that state police local Troop L has expressed willingness to help.

“It’s a great idea,” said First Selectman Jean Speck adding that it would fill a gap for the school and for the town by having a well-trained law enforcement person in place.

Selectman Glenn Sanchez commented as a member of the Noise and Traffic Committee. “It’s needed in a variety of ways.”

Anticipating the seriousness of a school emergency, Trabucco noted that without a security person, the school would need to wait a long time for help to arrive.

The selectmen voted to pass the suggestion along to the Board of Finance for review.

While not opposing the proposal, one resident suggested ways to further enhance security at the school, including installation of a chain-link fence around the school property and the addition of a trained patrol dog.

ARPA Funds

In support of the recommendations of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Needs Committee, the selectmen approved their recommendations for funds to nonprofits and entities as presented in their report. The report is posted on the town website.

The application process will remain open through August 31, Connie Manes, chair of the ARPA committee reported, adding that applications are continuing to arrive.

Selectman Rufus de Rham urged that the committee collect applications and disburse funds all at once after August, rather than the first-come, first-served approach currently in place.

“Nobody knows how many people may step forward,” de Rham said. “It’s the fair way to do it,” he added.

Several committee members felt that it was more important to get the funding distributed and into the pockets of the people in need.

Selectman Sanchez said that the committee had already planned for the volume of individuals who may apply.

Schaghticoke Petition Update

Town Attorney Jeff Sienkiewicz updated the selectmen on the status of efforts by the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe (SIT) to gain federal acknowledgement through a petition submitted to the Office of Federal Acknowledgement. The petition had been submitted on April 1, seeking to become a sovereign government within Kent.

Meeting the deadline of July 5 to respond, the town had joined with state Attorney General William Tong and the Kent School, providing a joint statement in strong opposition to the petition, Sienkiewicz reported. The statement should be accessible on the federal agency’s website.

According to Sienkiewicz, the next step is up to the SIT to respond or to submit additional evidence.

The town has asked that the federal agency rule on whether the SIT is a splinter group and therefore ineligible for acknowledgement.

“We are in a holding pattern, waiting for the next step,” Speck summarized.