PERU — Selectmen opened four bids for a new snowplow truck Monday and will consult with road foreman Joe Roach before making a decision.

A special meeting is set for 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25, to award a contract.

Ripley & Fletcher Co. of South Paris offered a Ford F-550 for $46,825 with the standard warranty and $51,120.30 with a six-year extended warranty. The truck is designed for an 8-foot long body.

Morrison & Sylvester of Auburn offered a one-ton International Terrastar for $63,247.31 with a six-year warranty. The truck is designed for a 10-foot long body.

Howard P. Fairfield Inc. of Skowhegan offered to equip the International truck with a plow and 10-foot body for $55,050, and the Ford with a plow and 8-foot body for $53,871.

Viking-Cives USA offered to equip the Ford truck for $49,395.

Selectman Larry Snowman, who said he has had extensive experience with Morrison & Sylvester’s truck service, spoke highly of them. Even though the International is more truck than was specified and slightly exceeds the budget, Snowman said his preference is for the International if the town wanted equipment that would last.

Several members of Friends of Peru Elementary School discussed issues they want placed on the November ballot. One would mean the group will no longer be considered tenants who operate the facility, but will continue to manage the building under the oversight of selectmen. The second would ask the town to contribute $10,000 to supplement the money generated by the group through fees on users and public fundraising.

Friends of Peru Elementary School’s purpose is to make the building a well-used community center.

Selectmen agreed the town benefits from having a community center and that the facility would be more utilized under the proposed management arrangement.

The Peru Food Pantry in the old school serves 125 to 130 families each month. Last year they gave away 56 tons of food and household products. In addition, they provide furniture, clothing and children’s toys. Scouts and other community groups also use the building.

The town is still looking for volunteers to serve on the Recreation Committee and the Charter Committee.

Selectmen secretary Angela Barkhouse pointed out that the school, Town Office and the surrounding open areas are all smoke-free zones.