Police Chief Lincoln Miller got the OK to purchase two police cruisers, but not before a brief interrogation from voters at Monday’s Annual Town Meeting.

Town policy allows for police cars to be replaced once they reach 100,000 miles of use or higher. After that, the old cruisers are either sold or handed down to other town departments that aren’t as demanding on the cars.

Voters were asked to transfer $35,000 from the town’s free cash fund to purchase and equip one cruiser. The free cash fund is money not spent from the previous fiscal year. A second police cruiser would be paid for with department funds.

According to Selectmen and Miller, the policy saves on maintenance costs while ensuring law enforcement needs are met.

The department has eight cars in the fleet. One car is assigned to Miller while a detective uses another.

Resident Eric Radin asked why a small town such as Marion needs eight cars when generally two to five officers are on duty at any given time.

“I think eight is excessive,” Radin said. “Is this is a Cadillac town?”

Lincoln said he’s found eight cars to be an ideal number. Sometimes, all eight cars are needed for calls. At other times, cars may be in the garage for maintenance. With 30 years of experience in law enforcement Miller said he remembers when Marion’s police force had two cruisers.

“There were times when both broke down,” Miller said.

After the debate voters overwhelmingly approved the measure.