After three years of planning and lobbying, Eastern Salisbury Fire Company will finally get a new fire truck.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners will accept a $362,166 bid from the Campbell Supply Co., the lowest of three bids for a new fire truck. The two other bids came in at $419,578 and $444,807.

Township Manager Randy Soriano told the board at its workshop meeting that he did not know why there was such a large discrepancy between the bids.

The board allocated money in the township's budget last year for a new fire truck, which is expected to be delivered in 2013. After the truck is ordered, fire department personnel can see pictures of it and monitor its progress online

After a discussion on whether the township should pre-pay for the truck to get a 5 percent discount, the board decided against it because it determined there would be no savings and the township could earn interest on its own money.

Assistant Fire Chief Dave Tomcics said the township did not historically pre-pay for trucks.

Board President James Brown asked if the new truck would satisfy the department's needs.

"Absolutely," Tomcics said. "It's a basic work truck."

Fire Chief Clint Ballek said the new truck would not only contain more storage and carry water, "The safety is going to be far superior."

The fire department plans to sell the old truck that it is replacing.