The Moretown Select Board reaffirmed the value of its patrol agreement with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department during its July 20 meeting, saying the program provides an important law enforcement presence and supports public safety in the community.
Washington County Sheriff’s Department representatives Bret Meyers and Marc Poulin joined the board to discuss the effectiveness of the patrol program and the role it plays in Moretown.
Meyers and Poulin told the board that having dedicated patrol hours allows deputies to be proactive, conducting traffic enforcement, monitoring areas of concern and maintaining visibility in the village and throughout town. The program provides deputies with the ability to address issues before they become larger problems rather than only responding after incidents occur.
PROVIDE VALUE
Board members discussed the benefits of the partnership and affirmed that the service continues to provide value to the town.
Moretown allocated $12,000 for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department patrol program in its fiscal year 2027 budget, which was approved in March 2026. The allocation continues the town’s investment in additional sheriff’s department coverage beyond routine countywide patrols.
As part of the budget development process, the board reviewed the sheriff’s department’s 2025 Moretown activity report in November 2025.
CALLS FOR SERVICE
The report showed that deputies conducted 105 traffic stops in Moretown during 2025, along with 80 directed patrols. Other activity included responses to motor vehicle complaints, suspicious circumstances, agency assists and other calls for service.
Traffic enforcement was a significant part of the department’s work in town. Deputies issued civil violation complaints and warnings for offenses including speeding, vehicle registration issues, equipment violations, operating without insurance, operating without a license and vehicle inspection violations.
The sheriff’s department’s directed patrols allow deputies to focus on areas identified by the town as priorities, including traffic safety and community presence.
Here are some details from the Washington County Sheriff’s department 2025 report:
|
Traffic Enforcement Activity |
Total |
|
Traffic stops |
105 |
|
Speeding violations (civil violation complaints) |
27 |
|
Speeding warnings |
44 |
|
Vehicle inspection violations |
35 |
|
Operating without liability insurance (civil violation complaints) |
7 |
|
Operating without a license (civil violation complaints and warnings) |
4 |
|
Registration plate violations (civil violation complaints and warnings) |
11 |
