Following an appeal from Police Chief Troy Cline, Wiscasset selectmen Tuesday night agreed to purchase a new cruiser. The $36,000 needed for the AWD 2015 Ford Interceptor will come from the contingency account. The vote was 4-1.

“I don’t like to come before the board and ask for emergency funds,” Cline said. The department’s blue 2008 cruiser had spun an engine bearing. Repairing the engine would cost about $6,000, which was more than what the car was worth due to its age and mileage. The town paid $8,500 for the vehicle four years ago.

Cline got prices from Wiscasset Ford in Wiscasset and Brunswick Ford in Brunswick. Both prices were for a white 2015 AWD Ford Interceptor utility vehicle. Wiscasset Ford was the lowest at $27,590, with $800 offered in trade for the old cruiser. Cline said the price included the dealership stripping the old cruiser of most of its electronics. Coastal Electronics of Wiscasset would then install them in the new cruiser for $7,800. The cost of the new police graphics was estimated at $700.

“We need to take care of this as quickly as possible,” Chairman Ben Rines Jr. said.

Selectman Judy Colby asked Cline how long it would take to have the new cruiser road-ready. Cline said the cruiser Wiscasset Ford had located was from a dealership in Massachusetts. “They’re prepared to pick it up tomorrow for us if we decide to buy it,” the police chief responded.

“When you called the dealerships what did you tell them you were looking for,” Selectman Judy Flanagan asked. Cline said he told them he was looking for a utility vehicle. “It’s what most police departments across the country are going to,” he said.

Before calling for a vote, Rines said he would have preferred holding off until a special town meeting. He recalled last year voters had defeated a $39,000 article for purchasing a new police cruiser out of the Capital Reserve Fund. Rines added, however given this was an emergency situation, he’d support the request. He was joined by Colby, Flanagan and Selectman David Cherry in supporting the purchase.

“We went to the public on this (a new police cruiser) and they said no,” Selectman Jeff Slack said after casting the dissenting vote.

At the close of the meeting, Chief Cline noted Wiscasset Officer Alfred F. Simmons had been promoted to police sergeant. Simmons will be recognized at the board’s next meeting on Feb. 2.