Hubbard Purchases new police cruiser, moves to resurface roads

Staff report

HUBBARD

The city hopes its new police cruiser will be a match even for Ohio’s sometimes brutal winter weather.

Safety Director Louis Carsone briefed city council Monday on the Ford Explorer purchased for a total cost of $42,367, which includes lettering, emergency equipment, radar technology and a $5,000 in-car camera system. The city sold the Chevrolet Impala cruiser it is replacing to help cover the new patrol car’s costs.

The new car’s all-wheel drive was a must, said Police Chief James Taafe. “You know how Ohio winters can get,” he said.

Taafe praised the vehicle’s slightly roomier back seat and said it has “no noticeable change in fuel economy” as compared with the rest of the city’s cruisers with two-wheel drive.

With the addition of this new cruiser, the city’s fleet totals eight marked and three unmarked police cars.

Carsone estimates the vehicle will hit the streets within the next few days, once decals and registration are finalized.

Council also passed legislation allowing the city to begin accepting bids from road repair businesses for a street resurfacing project. The city will pay $250,000 to resurface and apply crack sealant to residential roads. Council will decide which roads will be resurfaced once it finalizes bids.

Additionally, the city will partner with the state to resurface U.S. Route 62 by the end of August, according to Mayor John Darko. The repairs to Route 62 are part of a $1 million state project. The city will contribute $110,000 to resurface Route 62.