L to R – ACO Casey Smith, Fleet Manager PTL Rich Avant and Deputy Chief Gerald Roche

Billerica Animal Control finally has a new vehicle after 10 years! The new Ford F150 Police Responder edition is equipped with a rear seat cage with air conditioning, a topper with storage, a sliding deck in the bed and mobile office technology. BPD would like to thank the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office for fabricating the secondary door on the rear cage. Amazing work!

Patrol Officer Rich Avant, BPD’s fleet manager, says the vehicle took 16 months from start to finish. The biggest challenge was locating the vehicle, the specialized equipment for it and associated supply delays.  Animal Control Officer Casey Smith is excited to have a new vehicle after so long. Casey is looking forward to improved functionality after lessons were learned from the original 2014 F150 purchased in 2013. The old vehicle will be transferred to Billerica DPW where it will continue on in a new role. The upfit was completed by Municipal Headquarters (MHQ) in Marlborough, MA.