OXFORD – The town voted to accept a bid for a new pickup truck at Thursday’s selectmen’s meeting, but only after much discussion.

The truck’s uses include cold patching, brush removal, cemetery and park care, snow plowing and sanding. The truck will be a 2006 Ford 450 from Ripley & Fletcher in Paris for $37,879. Funds will come from the reserve account.

The town needs to buy a plow for it.

The truck will replace one 14 years old with a laundry list of problems. Residents on Thursday questioned the truck’s upkeep.

Board Chairman Scott Owens said the old truck had not been well-maintained, and he plans to improve the maintenance program for the replacement.

Town Manager Michael Chammings wanted the board to approve the bid at the meeting two weeks ago. Selectmen argued amongst themselves as to whether the purchase was necessary. They tabled the issue for further discussion, and it was voted on Thursday.

The old truck has 146,447 miles on it and more than 15 problems, according to a mechanic.

Selectmen Caldwell Jackson and Floyd Thayer voted for the motion, and David Ivey voted against it. Owens abstained and Dennis Sanborn was not at the meeting.