By Martin Luttrell
During a Feb. 25 Select Board meeting, Police Chief David Kurczy presented the department’s preliminary fiscal 2027 budget of $2,175, 692, which he described as a level-service budget from the previous year.
The proposed budget maintains funding of four new officers appointed over the past six months to fill vacant positions. Kurczy said that each officer brings education, training and public safety experience that supports the department’s mission and the needs of the Mendon community.
Officer Gabriel Lopez joins Mendon with prior law enforcement experience, holds a Master of Science degree from Merrimack College and is fluent in Spanish. His background and language skills enhance the department’s ability to serve and communicate with members of the community.
Officer Caitlin Perry also brings prior law enforcement experience to the department. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Bridgewater State University and previously served as a corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps. Her military leadership and law enforcement background reflect an ongoing commitment to public service.
Officer Joseph Thompson returns to the Mendon Police Department after previously serving with the agency in 2023. During his time away, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. His familiarity with the department and the community supports his continued service to Mendon.
Officer Harrison Quartarone began his public safety career as a Public Safety Telecommunicator with the Metacomet Emergency Communications Center, where he handled emergency calls and coordinated response services for the town of Mendon. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Mass Bay Community College and later participated in the Mendon Police Department’s Student Internship and Police Cadet Programs. He self-sponsored and paid his own way through the police academy without guarantee of a job, and now continues his service to the community as a sworn police officer.
Besides the chief, the department is staffed with nine patrol officers, two corporals (one serving as detective), three sergeants and a part-time lieutenant.
Kurczy was appointed chief in 2016 with 13 officers, and has since added one and a half positions.
The department’s current budget is $2,042,700. Kurczy told the board that 89.5% of the budget comprises contractual salaries. Also included in his budget proposal is $90,000 for cruiser replacement.
During an interview with Mendon Commons earlier in the month, Kurczy said the department replaces a cruiser once every 18 months on average.
“The department’s equipment is included in the budget,” he said during the interview. The department also uses body cameras, firearms, ammunition, Tasers and tactical vests. “The POST Commission (Police Officer Standard Training) will require body cameras. We started early,” he said.
Kurczy said there are no plans for any new major initiatives for the department in the coming fiscal year, and looked back on his decade as chief.
“We’ve done a lot in the last 10 years,” he said. “A new police station. Most officers have gone to the FBI leadership training. We’re doing college cadet training. They go to work with our regional dispatch.
“This is a great community to police in. We don’t have the problems that some other towns do. We don’t have the stress. Having a new station helps. It was a good investment by the town,” Kurczy said.
