Port police commissioners approve purchase of new sander

Jessica Parks
Police Officer Robert Pape was honored at the Port Washington Police Department's board of commissioners meeting on Tuesday. (Photo by Jessica Parks)

The Port Washington Police Department’s Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a new sander for the police district at last Tuesday’s meeting.

When attempting to sand the roads during the season’s first snowstorm two weeks ago, the current sander was found in poor condition due to not having been put away properly last winter.  

Deputy Chief Robert Delmuro said workers were able to get the sander to work but it didn’t last the whole night.

According to Secretary Tom Rice, the sander’s gears, chains, linkages and slip gear are damaged by rust.

The estimated cost for the parts to be repaired is $1,650, and once fixed there is no guarantee that the motor would work.

Delmuro recommended the department purchase a new sander rather than taking a risk in repairing the old one.

The commissioners agreed to buy the new sander from Brake Service Group for $4,540. It will be under warranty for the next two seasons.

The funds for the new equipment will be allocated from the budget’s emergency savings.

Rice suggested that the chief’s office be held accountable for the proper storage of the new sander at the end of each snow season.  

While the Port Washington police dealt with the snowstorm, one officer was upstate in the snow belt completing a SWAT Operator course.

Officer Robert Pape was honored at the meeting with a plaque presented to him by Lt. Kevin McCarroll.

The SWAT course is held upstate in Oriskany and is sponsored by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services and Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

McCarroll said Pape went through rigorous training where he learned everything from individual skill sets to leadership and crisis management.

“He brought great credit to himself and the Port Washington Police District by his performance up there,” he said.

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