SKOWHEGAN — The Skowhegan Select Board voted 3-1 on Tuesday to spend up to $17,146 from the town’s Capital Reserve Cruiser Replacement account to help buy a 2025 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility.
Chief of Police David Bucknam said the Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, will use the unmarked SUV exclusively. The division now uses a 2015 Ford Fusion for undercover work, but training, administration and other department needs often tie up that vehicle.
Select Board member Ethan Liberty questioned the need for a new vehicle since it does not replace an existing one.
“What happens is when we have an officer take (the Fusion) to go to training, CID has nothing low profile that’s going to be able to get them to accomplish their mission,” Bucknam said.
Bucknam also noted that rising labor and parts costs caused the department to exceed its vehicle maintenance budget by about $23,000 last year.
During the discussion, Liberty raised concerns about the overall size and cost of the department’s fleet.
“We have expanded our fleet as well as our personnel,” Bucknam said.
Liberty thanked the department but expressed concern over its budget.
“I appreciate everything that you and your officers do for the town and keeping us safe,” Liberty said. “But I also want to acknowledge that we have one of the most expensive police departments in the state.”
“In the state?” Bucknam asked. “I can prove you wrong.”
“For the size of the town, yes,” Liberty replied.
Before the vote, Select Board Vice Chair Amber Lambke asked whether voters had already approved the funding as part of the town’s capital reserve budget at the annual town meeting.
Bucknam confirmed they had.
Liberty cast the sole dissenting vote in the 3-1 decision.
Under the agreement, the town will enter a three-year lease with the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the term.
