MEXICO — The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to allow the Police Department to use up to $19,515 from its reserve account to purchase a 2015 Ford SUV to replace the cruiser destroyed this month.
Police Chief Roy Hodsdon told selectmen that during the Aug. 17 standoff between police and Steven R. Piirainen of Paris, the Mexico cruiser was wrecked.
“The insurance company took a look at it and said it was a total loss,” Hodsdon said. “The officer who was using the car said he had a sore neck, but otherwise, he’s doing OK. Right now, we’re looking for something to replace it.”
The Police Department is due to receive between $13,000 and $16,000 for the wrecked cruiser, Hodsdon said, which is higher than the town normally receives for damaged vehicles.
Hodsdon said the only vehicle Chevrolet had to offer was a 2014 Impala with rear-wheel drive for $28,000, and a Dodge dealership could offer a $28,000 Durango two-wheel drive SUV.
However, Hodsdon said he was looking to purchase a 2015 Ford SUV All-Wheel Drive Police Interceptor for $28,690.
With the insurance money and the different installations to the vehicle, Hodsdon said he wouldn’t need to pay any more than $19,515 for the Ford.
“I’m taking into consideration that we’re getting back between $13,000 and $16,000 from our insurance, and that we may have different things that need to be installed in the car,” Hodsdon said. “I’m expecting the cost to come in a bit less, but I’d rather stay on the maximum side of things.”
Town Manager John Madigan told the board that the Police Department “really needed to have a police pursuit vehicle.”
“The cruiser that was destroyed was the one we used for pursuit,” Madigan said. “It’s going to be something that you’re going to want to have.”
Selectman Albert Aniel agreed. “I don’t think we really have a choice in the matter. It’s something we need, so we just have to go ahead and do it.”
Hodsdon said vehicle can be delivered to Mexico within two-and-a-half weeks.
One resident asked how much money was currently in the Police Department reserve account.
Madigan said it was around $3,600 in the account, on top of the $19,000 approved during the annual town meeting in June.
The board voted 5-0 to approve the purchase.
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- The Mexico Board of Selectmen unanimously voted Tuesday evening to allow the Police Department to spend up to $19,515 to purchase a 2015 Ford SUV all-wheel-drive police interceptor to replace a vehicle that was damaged in a standoff on Aug. 17.
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