During the Milford Town Council meeting, Monday, town marshal Rich Miotto proposed the retention of the 2007 squad car. He noted the vehicle is paid off, plus fully equipped, and it could be used by reserve officers to keep miles off the newer squad cars.

Miotto stated the plan would be to keep the ’07 until it was time to get a new squad car — another SUV — in 2015 or 2016. At that time, the 2008 squad car would be handed down to the reserves and the ’07 retired.

“On paper it looks good, but in practicality I don’t see it,” council vice president Doug Ruch said, adding he would rather keep the department at two cars.

If kept, Miotto stated the squad car would need insurance, which is $400 a year, tires and one or two oil changes a year — since mileage would be spread between the vehicles it would probably be the former. He added, currently the department is good on its tire budget, however, Ruch warned the 2014 SUV might go through tires faster.

During the discussion, it was stated the squad car has approximately 120,000 miles on it. Miotto said, given the mileage and abuse squad cars receive, it would be hard to estimate the amount it would receive at auction.

Council member Dan Cochran estimated the car would cost $1,200 a year to operate and expressed apprehensiveness about the miles on it. “I’m concerned about the transmission or other big ticket items.”

Miotto stated he thought it would be a good opportunity for the town to have a fully paid and equipped squad car.

In the end, Ruch made the motion to proceed with the sale of the 2007 squad car, and it passed two to one — Ruch and Cochran voting for and council president Robert Cockburn voting against.

It was determined the car would be sold through Polk Auction Company where there would be more exposure for the sale. The town will remove the decals and equipment in time for the company’s Feb. 4 auction.