WENDELL — With the Selectboard’s approval in hand, the town will use $5,580 from its D.A.R.E. account to replace the police substation’s router.

Wendell no longer has its own police department, as it contracts with neighboring Leverett for that town to provide policing services. The building at 4 Center St. was renovated in 2023 and is used as a substation where police officers can park their cruisers, use a restroom and use a computer. But Sgt. Steven Gould said the building’s router was removed during renovations and likely recycled.

According to Gould, the router is a vital piece of equipment as it allows connection to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) system for secure communication between law enforcement agencies and databases.

“But without it, you know, we can’t access CJIS, we can’t run anything there, we can’t book anybody under arrest, we can’t do license-to-carry renewal applications for residents,” Gould said. “It really wouldn’t be … a functional substation without this router.”

Though Selectboard Vice Chair Gillian Budine had thought the cost would be in the $3,000 range, Gould said the newest quote is $5,580. Budine explained there is $9,000 in an account for a defunct local D.A.R.E. program. Short for Drug Abuse Resistance Education, D.A.R.E. is an American education program aimed at steering young people away from illegal substances.

Gould noted the secured and encrypted router is required by the state.

“They give it to you one time, and then if you lose it or if you break it, it’s thousands of dollars to replace,” he said.

Gould said he believes the router had been in the Wendell substation’s attic prior to the renovations.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.