Without selectmen's consent, Fire Chief Peter Martell spent $33,814 of town money for a 2017 Ford Expedition, plus about $2,000 to outfit the vehicle. On Tuesday the vehicle was parked at Duggan Vehicle Equipment, 9 Canterbury St., Worcester.

On Jan. 10, the fire chief argued that the town had approved the purchase of a new police cruiser and fire vehicle at the annual town meeting in June. He said the police chief bought his cruiser first.

On Nov. 11, the fire chief said the previous vehicle, a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria that was purchased as a used vehicle, had 154,000 miles on it. It was taken out of commission because it failed an annual state safety inspection.

In a 2-1 vote Tuesday, selectmen approved work to complete the detailing on the vehicle. Linda M. Lincoln was the sole vote against.

But selectmen stipulated that the new vehicle will not be used until the fire chief issue is resolved. He has been on paid administrative leave since Jan. 10 and is going through a "forensic audit" after an electric bill from his home was found with department expenses.

"Once the town has it, I would feel more comfortable not using the vehicle until we have the situation resolved with the fire chief," said Stephen J. Comtois II, chairman of the Board of Selectmen.

The injuries sustained were classified as minor to moderate‚ said ER24.

Four of the injured were believed to have been fire fighters.