WOODSTOCK – An article asking voters to approve buying a 2004 Sterling plow truck for $93,000 will appear on the March meeting warrant.

Selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday to include the request after considering three bids. They were: $63,000 for a Mack truck from O’Connor of Augusta, $61,700 for an International from Morrison-Sylvester of Auburn, and $52,278 for a Sterling from Whited Ford, also of Auburn. The bids were for the cab and chassis only. The remaining $40,000 is for plow equipment and the body.

Road Foreman Randy Eastman said his first preference was the Mack, but the board decided to go with lower priced Sterling since it was comparable in features.

Selectman Leon Poland said the town has always had Fords, which today are called Sterlings, and it probably is best to stay with the same type of truck.

“As long as we’ve got Sterlings now I think we should stick with them,” he said, “and Auburn is closer than Augusta when we need to have the truck serviced. And we have dealt with Whited before and we know their service is good.”

Selectman Steve Bies said, “Based on the price I would be more comfortable with the Sterling. Either of the other trucks would mean a lot more money.”

Chairman Percy Monk agreed with going with lowest bid, although he said that Mack probably is the most durable truck.

The money would be appropriated from the Highway Department Truck Fund, which Town Manager Vern Maxfield said has $90,000 in it. The remaining $3,000 would come from the Highway Reserve Account.

The truck will replace a 1988 Ford, which will be kept for for small jobs as needed.