FARMINGTON – Franklin County commissioners voted to buy four, 2013 Ford Interceptor SUVs on Tuesday from Farmington Ford for $88,899.89.

Franklin County Sheriff Chief Deputy Raymond Meldrum solicited bids from a standard list of dealerships and two responded, Sheriff Dennis Pike said.

Initially it was unclear what type of vehicles were bid on because the Ford Interceptor SUVs with a police package are new.

Farmington Ford representative Jim White clarified later Tuesday that the new Interceptors come in sedan and SUV models for police.

A second bid submitted by Quirk Ford in Augusta was for four police Interceptors for $91,584.

The individual vehicles were less money — $25,771 each — compared to $26,324.92 submitted by Farmington Ford, but the latter dealership offered a better trade-in value. The cost of the Interceptors came out to $24,324.92 or less.

To be traded in are a pickup truck, a Ford Expedition, Ford Crown Victoria and Ford Explorer.

“It pleases me to keep the business local,” Pike said.

Pike had $92,000 in the budget for vehicles and he is hoping to outfit the vehicles using the remaining money.

Commissioners approved Meldrum to try and sell the vehicles outright that are to be traded to see if they would bring in more money. If not, then they will be traded. Meldrum was not at the meeting.

Commissioners questioned the procedure followed to go out to bid on the vehicles. The normal practice is to come before commissioners prior to bidding, Commission Chairman Gary McGrane of Jay said.

In other business, commissioners voted to hire Amanda Simoneau of Wilton as the new deputy director of the county Emergency Management Agency effective Oct. 1. She will be paid $15.28 an hour. Simoneau replaces former Deputy Director Olive Toothaker of Wilton who retired July 30.

Director Tim Hardy said that 28 applications were received and seven candidates were interviewed.

There were seven very good candidates, he said.

Two people were selected for a second interview.

Commissioners also voted to hire Amos Herrera of Madison as a part-time corrections officer.

McGrane said commissioners had individually given their OK to hire Herrerra through email from county Clerk Julie Magoon as a temporary move prior to commissioners meeting.

Otherwise, McGrane said the jail would have been short-handed. The emergency, temporary action was given on Sept. 12 before jail Manager Doug Blauvelt went on vacation.

Commissioners also approved Billie Martin of Madison as a reserve dispatcher. She has previously worked as a reserve police officer in Wilton and when the new year starts is expected to return there. Reserve officers are only allowed to work a certain number of hours a year if they have not gone through the training to be a certified police officer.

dperry@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link