NORTHFIELD — Because of the amount of an insurance payout for a totaled police cruiser, residents will have to approve its use to replace the police car.
The 2008 Chevy Impala police car was rear-ended by an alleged drunken driver on Oct. 7, while officer John Cowan was assisting Bernardston police in an investigation on Bald Mountain Road in Bernardston. The department’s auto insurance provider recently declared the vehicle a total loss. However, rather than simply putting the insurance check toward the purchase of a new cruiser, the funds must be voted on by the town.
“Because the check is for more than $20,000, the money can’t be used without a town meeting vote,” said Thomas Hutcheson, town administrator.
Chief Leonard Crossman Jr. said the Impala was purchased fully equipped and new for about $26,000 in 2008.