John Benson, chair of the Brookfield Selectboard, said in an email that he and his colleagues are waiting to hear from the sheriff-elect, George Contois, to learn more about the future of the sheriff’s department. In Orange County, some of the towns that work with the sheriff’s department are uncertain about the future of their law enforcement contracts. Many departments also provide additional services, such as traffic details and patrol contracts with individual towns. In Vermont, sheriff’s departments have certain duties that are required by law, including transporting prisoners and people requiring psychiatric care. Late last month, feeling the squeeze from anticipated budget cuts and resignations, the sheriff’s department began closing its doors overnight for the first time in at least 47 years, and stopped providing overnight dispatching for several local fire departments. While deputies are still patrolling throughout the county, Bohnyak said, they’re having to “prioritize the severity of a call right now.” “We’re barely just holding on,” Bohnyak said, noting he’d contacted Vermont State Police about assisting with work in Orange County, but they too are short-staffed. All five of the department’s administrative staffers, or “duty clerks,” who have previously held dispatching roles as well, will be gone by Feb. But what the sheriff’s department really needs would be new deputies, and some support staff.Īs of last week, 11 part- and full-time deputies had resigned, leaving 10 remaining, according to the current sheriff, Bill Bohnyak. Next week, Orange County will have a new sheriff.
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