The Twin Lakes Police Department motorcycle.
The Twin Lakes Village Board appears headed for another vote on whether to keep a Harley motocycle in its police department fleet.
After an extensive discussion of the issue at Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, village President Howard Skinner said he will make a motion at the next Village Board meeting (Sept. 20) to sell the motorcycle and apply the proceeds toward the purchase of two new squad cars needed to replace current high mileage vehicles.
The board last discussed the bike’s fate during budget discussions late last year. At that time, $8,000 was placed into the budget to purchase the bike, which the village had previously been able to use as a rental for a nominal fee from a Kenoshas-based dealership.
The board had another lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of keeping the motorcycle. The issue was raised due to a motion to allow two officers to attend training for using the motorcycle.
The discussion showed the board to be nearly split down the middle on the issue of keeping the machine in the fleet.
Several favored the motorcyle as a cost efficient vehicle.
“I still think the economies weigh in favor of the bike…,” said Trustee Kevin Fitzgerald.
But others — especially Trustee Sharon Bower — favored getting rid of the motorcycle that they see as under utilized.
“In this economy, we don’t need this,” Bower said. “We’re going to pay for more training? I’m totally against this.”
Pressed by Trustee Aaron Karow for his opnion, police Chief Dale Racer said it is a perk he can offer those interested in learning to use it, but that in the end the motorcycle is not essential.
“To me it’s not a need, it’s a a want,” Racer said. He also pointed out that while two officers were willing to undergo the training, there is about a 20 percent failure rate and any fee paid would not be refundable if an officer did not pass.
