PARIS – Selectmen unanimously approved the purchase of a new plow truck Monday to replace a deteriorating vehicle.

The town will buy a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado from Goodwin Chevrolet Buick Pontiac in Oxford to replace a 1995 Ford F-250 plow. Town Manager Sharon Jackson said the town sought bids to replace the three-quarter ton four-wheel-drive truck due to high maintenance costs.

“It’s off the road more than it’s on,” she said.

Highway Foreman Frank Danforth said the 1995 vehicle has 170,000 miles on it and could not be used for the last two snowstorms.

“It’s just totally worn out,” he said.

Selectmen were asked to choose between the Silverado, offered for $27,691, and a 2009 Ford F-250 offered by Ripley and Fletcher of Paris for $27,932.69. Bessey Motors of Paris offered a vehicle for $32,000.

Jackson said the Silverado was a slightly higher grade than the F-250 in its engine, transmission and warranty.

Selectman Glen Young noted that Goodwin’s is in Oxford and not Paris, as the other two dealerships are, but said he was satisfied that the vehicle was the model that Danforth preferred.

The truck will be paid for in installments of $10,384.93 a year. The first payment is due April 14 and will be taken from the Highway Department budget.