The Wiscasset Selectmen, during a special meeting Tuesday evening, voted unanimously to put an article on the warrant asking the voters to reconsider allowing the Police Department to purchase a new cruiser, without raising their taxes.

The voters defeated an article last month to raise the money for the new cruiser. There is enough money in the current budget to pay for the cruiser.

Lt. John Allen and Officer Kathy Williams told the selectmen and two budget committee members now is the time to trade.

Allen said the plan was to trade in two vehicles - the 2004, and the 2001 - receiving about $3,000 for the two cars.

The 2001 cruiser has 172,500 miles on it and the 2004 cruiser has 142,000 miles, according to Allen, and about $4,000 has been spent on maintenance not including the town garage costs. The new 2008 cruiser is $21,804; with the trade-ins it will cost $18,804.

Allen said if they wait and buy a new cruiser next year the cost will be about six percent more, they will receive less money for the trade-ins, and the cost to convert equipment in the 2009 model could be between $5,000 and $10,000 more. The 2009 models have side airbags, which require all new equipment. There would also be savings because two cruisers instead of three would be insured.

Selectman Phil DiVece said. "This department head had a $30,000 balance carried forward. He is to be commended for the job he has done. I believe we should run the town like a business. As you would in a business, re-invest that money in his department and give him the tools to do his job."

Selectman David Nichols said, "You have done a great job presenting your case. But, we are going to have to face the people who will ask why that money isn't being applied to lower their taxes, and we need to have the answers to those questions."

Selectman Robert Fairfield said, "I do not like going against the taxpayers, but, as a former businessman, I agree that it would be cost effective to buy the new cruiser now rather than to wait when the cost could be greater."

Selectman Nicole Viele made a motion to have the article on the warrant with an explanation as to where the money is coming from and the need to purchase the cruiser this year. DiVece seconded the motion and it carried 5-0.

Next on the agenda was Airport Manager Erv Deck. The voters had rejected a request for $19,000 for a new roof on the airport maintenance building, and $8,000 for new windows in another building.

Deck asked that an article be put before the voters asking for $8,000 for the windows. Deck said it is a question of efficiency in the building with the cost of fuel. He also told the selectman that the new windows are part of the airport's five year master plan.

After a brief discussion on where the money could come from, Selectman William Curtis moved that the board defer action on Deck's request until next Tuesday until after the auditor had looked at the accounts.

Community Center Director Todd Souza whose budget was also rejected last month presented a budget that is $24,000 less than the original one. The selectmen and budget committee members Sherri Dunbar, along with Budget Committee Chairman Steve Mehrl told Souza he has done a great job in reducing the budget.

"You have reduced your appropriation request by 10 percent," Mehrl said, "That's impressive."

The Community Center article that failed last month was a total budget of $786,000; $508,000 would come from fees, memberships and other revenue with nearly $278,000 to be raised from taxes. The revised budget is $767,000, with $513,000 to come from revenue, and $254,000 to be raised from taxes.

Souza pointed out that the 2008-2009 recreation budget is only a one percent increase over the 2007-2008 budget.

Former budget committee member Richard Grondin asked about a comment Souza had made regarding adding $100,000 to his budget to allow free membership to the center for Wiscasset residents.

"That was bad timing on my part," Souza said. "That was not a good idea, and I can assure you that is not in this budget."

Grondin asked how the recreation department is coming on their five year goal, which included not asking for more than $50,000 in the year 2011 from the taxpayers.

Souza indicated they are doing okay, with some exceptions, one of which is the high cost of fuel. "We will get it down as low as we can," Souza said. "We are doing our best."

Souza said the Wiscasset Community Center has been awarded the Business of the Year by Elmhurst, a private, non-profit social agency located in Bath.

The selectmen have scheduled a public hearing for next Tuesday for the articles to be discussed. The town will vote July 22.