Buffalo Township municipal Building.

BUFFALO TWP — The board of supervisors approved the purchase of a new 2026 Ford Explorer for the township’s police department during its monthly meeting Wednesday night, March 11.

The Explorer will replace an older vehicle that the police department lost in a crash involving an officer on Feb. 10.

Total cost of the vehicle, with necessary police modifications included, is $54,607, with insurance covering less than half of the township’s costs.

Police Chief Tim Derringer said the two-vehicle accident occurred on South Pike Road, near the Municipal Authority of Buffalo building where township meetings are being held while the township’s regular building is under renovation.

“No injuries were sustained,” Derringer said. “It was serious as far as damage, but the officer and the other operator were not injured.”

Derringer and township Supervisor Ron Zampogna said the township was already looking to replace the vehicle lost in the crash.

“Per the insurance company, the vehicle was totaled, in their opinion,” Zampogna said. “It did have extensive damage. I guess the age, and everything else taken into account, also played a factor.”

“That vehicle was four years old,” Derringer said. “It was probably due to be replaced next year. So this kind of accelerated that.”

While Derringer lamented the unexpected expense, he said the police department was able to absorb it.

“We weren’t expecting to spend an extra $30,000 on a vehicle that we didn’t budget for,” Derringer said. “(But) there’s actually other line items where we can move money to make the purchase work. We have some wiggle room for the police department, so we can transfer the money to pay for the vehicle.”