JAY – Selectmen approved the police chief’s request Monday to buy a used 2006 Ford Explorer for $14,900, Chief Larry White Sr. said Tuesday.

He had searched dealerships in Portland, Lewiston, Augusta and Farmington, among other towns, for six weeks to find a used SUV that would meet the department’s needs, he said.

He finally found what he was looking for at Quirk Chevrolet in Augusta, White said.

The Explorer has 26,000 miles on it. Police will give an older cruiser used by a detective to the town, he said.

During times of bad weather and extremely dangerous driving conditions, police had to double up in the department’s sole SUV, Town Manager Ruth Marden said.

They were also having problems with high maintenance on the Crown Victorias, she said,

In another matter, selectmen made no decision after an executive session on whether to have an annual meeting with nonunion salaried employees to discuss raises, she said.

“An hour wasn’t enough time,” Marden said.

The town’s Building Inspector/Assistant Code Officer James Butler gave selectmen an update on the 38 Main St. property about which the town has had complaints.

He met with a state fire marshal to discuss how he handled the situation and he was told his report was “very accurate,” Marden said.

Selectmen also received a thank-you letter commending the Fire/Rescue departments from resident Bryce Reed, who owned a leaning garage off Main Street, she said. Firefighters burned the building as a training exercise.