SILVERHILL, Alabama — Following a lengthy discussion, which took up the entire work session and part of the regular meeting, the Silverhill Town Council voted to purchase a new vehicle for the police department during its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 20.

Police Chief Kevin Brock and members of the Silverhill Police Department fielded several questions from council members about the need for the truck, an F150 Crew Cab 4 x 4 which would be purchased from Stivers Ford Lincoln in Montgomery as part of the state bid contract.

“It’s something that would be nice to have,” Brock said. “If we have a crime scene that is a little off the beaten path that we need to get to, it would certainly make it easier.”

Brock presented a total estimate of $38,271 for the truck, including the purchase price of $28,737, an equipment fee of $8,949 and graphics, with an estimated cost of $585. The estimate did not include the installation of a cage, but council members elected to include that with the purchase. Brock said a cage for the vehicle would cost about $850, plus installation costs.

The town has about $51,000 in an equipment fund, which could be used to purchase the vehicle, officials said.

Brock also presented a bid estimate on purchasing a 2017 Ford Taurus from the state bid of $32,615.37, plus the cost of purchasing and installing a cage. Brock asked the council to consider purchasing that vehicle sometime early next year.

Brock also asked the council to consider hiring Scott Poole as a part-time training coordinator and administrative assistant for the police department.

Poole is set to retire from the Federal Bureau of Investigations office in Mobile in December and, Brock said, he is looking to continue working part-time in law enforcement after his retirement.

“This is a rare opportunity,” Brock said. “He is a certified firearms instructor and has all the contacts for us to be able to do most of our training in-house, as well as host training for other departments.”

Council members expressed concern as to whether or not there was money in the budget to hire Poole. Mayor Tim Wilson asked that the matter be tabled in order to see if something could be worked out.

Wilson also asked that council members get together with the Silverhill Volunteer Fire Department, again tabling action on passage of the SHVFD Ordinance, which was tabled from the Nov. 6 meeting.