Selectmen approve cruiser bid

OXFORD — The Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed Thursday to purchase a new police cruiser from an Augusta dealership.

Selectmen approved a $23,897 bid from Quirk Ford of Augusta for a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor. Chief Jon Tibbetts of the Oxford Police Department said the vehicle is similar to the models two other dealerships offered.

 Ripley and Fletcher of Paris and Natick Auto Sales Inc. of Marlborough, Mass., each offered a 2010 Crown Victoria. Ripley and Fletcher's bid was $25,828, while Natick's was $23,578.

Town Manager Michael Chammings said it would be preferable to go with one of the Maine companies, since the town has not used the Massachusetts dealership before and its bid was not significantly lower than Quirk's. He said Quirk also provided the town with its last cruiser.

The new model will replace a 2004 Ford Crown Victoria that will be retired and keep the department with three marked patrols cars, Tibbetts said.