ARUNDEL — The York County sheriff would like to see another sheriff ’s deputy in town, and residents agree that more police patrol is needed.

Arundel currently contracts with the York County Sheriff ’s Department for a full-time patrol officer, who works exclusively in Arundel.

Town Manager Keith Trefethen said an informal straw poll was done at a public forum on Monday, and that the majority of the about 40 people at the meeting said they wanted the town to explore options of more police patrol – whether it be with the York County Sheriff ’s Office or through an agreement with a nearby municipality such as Kennebunk or Kennebunkport.

Trefethen said town selectmen will discuss the matter further at 7 p.m. this coming Monday at the Mildred L. Day School library.

The cost of a second deputy in town is estimated to be between about $83,000 and $99,000 annually. Another police cruiser would also have to be purchased for about $33,000.

“I think Arundel is growing, and a second deputy will improve the quality of life,” said York County Sheriff Bill King.

Noting the high traffic volume on Route 111, King said York County leads the state in fatal automobile crashes. Last year, 36 percent of the speed-related crashes in the sheriff ’s department coverage area occurred in Arundel, he said.

There were 91 motor vehicle crashes reported last year and 69 of the calls related to personal injury from a motor vehicle crash, King said.

In 2015, 3,500 of calls to the sheriff ’s office came from Arundel, making it the second busiest of the nine contract towns behind Waterboro, which had 4,700 calls and just got a second deputy, King said.

In other matters to be discussed Monday, the town has discussed for many years the possibility of a new town hall, and have recently narrowed down location options.

Trefethen said a majority of residents at Monday’s public forum said they would like to see the new town hall at a site on Limerick Road. Trefethen said he’s going to discuss with selectmen at next week’s meeting what the board’s next steps will be on the issue.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].