Government

Town looking to buy new Ford Escape for Supervisor Russell

A 2012 Ford Escape

The black 2003 Crown Victoria that Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell has been driving since he took office has fallen victim to a broken intake manifold, and the Town Board seemed poised this week to buy a new Ford Escape for the supervisor’s use.

Two weeks ago, the board issued a request for proposals for a Jeep Grand Cherokee or similar vehicle for the supervisor, but Mr. Russell said after researching the Escape he grew impressed with the vehicle.

A Jeep gets 17 miles per gallon around town and 19 mpg on the highway, while the Ford is rated at 23 mpg around town and 28 on the highway.

Mr. Russell said there is a hybrid version of the Escape, but its gas mileage isn’t sufficiently higher than the conventional model’s to justify the higher price tag. A hybrid Escape retails at $30,000 about $9,000 more than a new standard Escape.

Councilman Bill Ruland said Mr. Russell could buy the car through the state contract from a dealer in Rochester, which has 70 Escapes on the lot.

“I’m not a Ford person, but many municipalities have opted for this vehicle,” said Mr. Ruland.

Read more from this week’s Town Board meeting in Thursday’s paper.

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