NEW GLOUCESTER — Selectmen on Monday approved the purchase of a replacement fire engine for the town’s fleet after reviewing three bids for months.

The board approved the contract with Ferrara Fire Apparatus Inc. at $374,958 to replace the 1990 Engine 2.

New Gloucester Fire Chief Gary Sacco told the board in a lengthy presentation that a committee of six members of the fire department met with local fire departments and attended opportunities to try equipment from three manufacturers before making the decision for the purchase expected to last 25 years.

The truck will be built in Louisiana and the board learned the expected delivery is roughly 35 weeks.

The 1990 Engine 2 will be sold by the town when the new engine is operational.

Sacco said the decision to go with Ferrara over the lower bidder was based on ergonomics, a nearby service center that serves the town’s fleet, wiring accessibility and construction details.

In other business:

* The board awarded a heating system upgrade to the town to Gabriel Energy of New Gloucester at $5,567.

* A contract for insulation and weatherization upgrades to town facilities was awarded to Quality Insulation of Yarmouth at $12,490.

* The board also approved changes to the town’s General Assistance Ordinance based on updated information by Maine’s Department of Human Services.

* Aaron Shapiro, of Cumberland County Community Development Program, presented an overview of the federal Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant program.

Former selectman David Lunt is the town’s liaison to the county group.

New Gloucester is an eligible member town. The program benefits low/moderate income households, public services, public infrastructure, public facilities, housing and economic development.

New Gloucester has talked about applying for funds to bring public water to Upper Gloucester in the future.