FARMINGTON — Selectmen dedicated much of their focus Tuesday night to requests from the Police Department.

The board approved the low bid from Consolidated Communications for internet service at the department. The bid was $305.77 a month, plus a $700 initial set-up fee, for 36 months. The bid from GWI of Biddeford was $435 a month, for 36 months.

Deputy Chief Shane Cote said: “Larry Jordan (energy consultant) got us a really good price. It came in much lower than anticipated.”

A $2,100 Bureau of Highway Safety Grant was accepted to conduct enforcement details and compliancy inspections.

Police Chief Jack Peck said the grant will provide overtime for high-saturation, high-visibility patrols, such as Project Graduation. Money was received from the Healthy Community Coalition to enforce underage drinking laws.

“It’s very important to stop people from drinking and driving while underage,” Peck said. “Businesses should know that we have to check. We hope everyone will be in compliance.”

Selectman Matthew Smith applauded the department for bringing four grants worth more than $10,000 to the board in the last three meetings.

The board unanimously approved the low bid for a new police cruiser. 

Peck said he tries to swap out the cruisers every four or five years. The 2013 SUV he wants to replace has more than 200,000 miles and some mechanical issues.

Requests for bids were sent to eight central Maine dealerships. Two companies returned three bids.

Farmington Ford submitted a bid for a 2018 Ford Interceptor SUV, available in 10-to-12 weeks, for $26,702.

Quirk Ford of Augusta gave a bid of $25,167 for a 2018 Ford Interceptor, available in 12 weeks.

Quirk also gave a price of $24,156 for a 2017 Ford Interceptor SUV, available immediately.

“The 2017 is a leftover. Town employees from the fire and highway departments  can start setting it up. We’re not waiting 10-12 weeks for it,” Peck said. “Quirk usually has 10 to 15 Interceptors on the lot — 2017, 2018, it doesn’t matter. Why not save the money?”

When asked about leasing police vehicles, Peck said there is no real benefit. The department would have to pay for extra mileage and things that had to be done to the vehicle for police use.

“We use them pretty hard,” he said.

In other matters, Joshua Bell was elected chairman, Stephan Bunker vice chairman and Michael Fogg secretary.

The board also approved spending $355.50 for a full color ad for the town of Farmington in the 2018 Western Maine Edition of Discover Maine Magazine. The board has done this several times. It is funded from the Special Projects Account.

Town Manager Richard Davis confirmed a meeting to discuss the results of a broadband study. It is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at the Jay-Niles Library in North Jay. Officials from Jay, Livermore Falls and Wilton will meet with representatives from the Sewall Corp.

Greater Franklin Development Corp. Executive Director Charlie Woodworth told Davis he would also like to invite officials from Chesterville and New Sharon.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net

Farmington selectmen Tuesday night approved the low bid for a replacement cruiser for the Police Department. From left: Selectmen Michael Fogg and Stephan Bunker, Selectman Chairman Joshua Bell, Town Manager Richard Davis, Town Secretary Linda Grant and Selectmen Scott Landry (hidden) and Matthew Smith. (Pam Harnden/Livermore Falls Advertiser)