I’ve lived in this town for over 43 years and we’ve had committees for anything and everything, but the most common use of committees involves the forming of an independent police department, “Committee recommends independent Montville department,” (Nov. 17).

This time the committee says the cost would be about $300,000. The five new dispatchers would be paid  about $50,000, and the police chief would be paid about $100,000, which is about $75,000 less than what we pay for the current resident trooper. The numbers are rough estimates, and the best the committee could do based on information available. How reassuring for us taxpayers. 

As far as I’m concerned we already have a professional police department, and one that we can be proud of. If there’s a problem with morale and efficiency, as this article indicates, there is no guarantee that it will improve by forming an independent police department. Just look at the problems with the New London Police Department. 

When the Montville Water Pollution Control Authority had a morale problem, they just went out and bought new trucks. If it isn’t broke, then don’t fix it! 

Jim Harmon

Montville