MADISON — Voters have approved more money for the town Police Department, and now the Board of Selectmen must decide whether to go along with the spirit of the Town Meeting action and use the additional funds for a new police cruiser.

A $574,721 budget for the Police Department was approved June 9, and residents also were asked to raise an additional $29,500 for the purchase of a new police cruiser. Because residents legally cannot designate at town meeting how funds are spent, selectmen will need to appropriate the money for the cruiser, which they plan to do Monday, said Town Manager Dana Berry.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Old Point Avenue school.

“I think they plan to vote to purchase a cruiser,” Berry said. “I think that message came through from residents loud and clear, along with the fact that they want to increase the budget. I think there will be some discussion there.”

In 2013-2014, the total budget for public safety was $1.02 million.

For 2014-2015, the Board of Selectmen also had recommended spending $1.02 million, with a cut coming from the Police Department. Berry said they were recommending less because in the past the department hasn’t spent all of the money it was budgeted, although at the meeting Police Chief Barry Moores said that happened because several officers left the department to work elsewhere.

According to the town report, there was a 4 percent increase in crimes against people in Madison in 2013. Drug-related crimes were up 24 percent from 2012.

At Monday’s meeting, the board also will make annual appointments including chairman and vice chairman of the Board of Selectmen and will appoint a new fire chief.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

[email protected]