Petition Asks an End
To Police Expansion Efforts
By Pamala Yerrington

The Randolph selectboard meeting Monday started off with a petition calling for an immediate end of any official discussion about expanding the police district.

Joe Voci, Randolph’s former superindent of public works, who lives in Randolph Center, presented the petition which carried the signatures of 164 Randolph citizens. It called for the selectboard and Town Manager Peter Butterfield to stop all efforts to expand the police district.

It stated that until a petition representing 5% of Randolph voters outside the district requests the Selectboard to consider expanding the district, their activity in this regard should cease.

It also called on local legislators to properly fund and support the state police. After hearing additional public comment, the Selectboard promised a timely response most likely at the next meeting.

Town Manager Butterfield has led the initiative by proposing that the District expand to encompass the whole town. The District could get better financial support that way, Butterfield said, and it would be more fair to spread police costs across the whole town instead of just the village region.

The selectboard members have appeared interested in the manager’s idea but have remained wary and non-committal to what is bound to be a controversial move, if it occurs.