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Warner Select Board approves 2025 police cruiser over budget objections
Summary
The Warner Select Board voted 2–1 to authorize purchase of a 2025 police SUV from the Capital Reserve Fund despite objections about timing and department staffing; the vehicle purchase price is roughly $54,997 plus about $20,000 in outfitting costs.
The Warner Select Board voted 2–1 on Feb. 3 to authorize the Police Department to buy a 2025 Chevy Tahoe and trade in a 2017 Ford Explorer using funds from the Police Capital Reserve Fund.
Police Chief Bill Chandler told the board the department needs to replace a 2017 SUV and has located a 2025 leftover model being offered about $2,300 less than a 2026 model. He said the dealer would hold the vehicle while the department consulted the board, that the trade-in value for the current Explorer is $6,000 and that the 2025 purchase price is $54,997 plus roughly $20,000 to outfit the vehicle — a total of about $68,997. Chandler noted the Police CRF balance is approximately $90,000.
Chair Harry Seidel and Vice Chair Alfred Hanson supported using the CRF now to capture the savings and preserve trade‑in value. Select Board member Michael J. Smith opposed immediate purchase, citing budgetary concerns and ongoing staffing shortages in the department; Smith told the board he preferred delaying the purchase until after Town Meeting so voters could consider the budget.
After an initial motion was withdrawn, Seidel moved and Hanson seconded a motion to authorize the purchase; the roll-call vote was Hanson YES, Seidel YES, Smith NO, and the motion passed.
The board’s action authorizes staff to complete the purchase and trade-in using CRF funds. No additional appropriation was approved at the meeting and Select Board members discussed that waiting could reduce the trade-in value and increase the purchase price by about $2,300.
Outcome and next steps: purchase authorized to proceed from CRF; town staff did not indicate any separate appropriation or additional vote would be required at the meeting.
