CHINA -- The prospect of spending $200,000 for a new truck for China Rescue had selectmen hesitating at a meeting this week.

Selectman Joann Austin had two questions: Should China spend money on capital projects when other towns are cutting back, and is such a costly truck necessary?

Town Manager Daniel L'Heureux urged selectmen to go ahead with planned spending, specifically the $15,000 compactor for the transfer station they unanimously approved later in the meeting.

"During the tough times, you get the best buys," he told them.

Rescue Chief Danny McKinnis said members of the committee that developed specifications for the new truck looked at a 20-year investment and considered town growth.

The truck is customized for China, he said. Features include all-wheel drive; storage space for generators, extrication equipment and other supplies; and room to shelter an accident victim while waiting for an ambulance. McKinnis said the rescue unit got three price quotes on the truck, the lowest more than $201,000.

He warned that unless the truck is ordered by the end of December, the price will increase at least $10,000 due to new regulations.

Selectmen postponed a decision and invited rescue unit members to their Dec. 8 meeting for more discussion.

Also Monday, School Committee Chairman Charles Clark gave selectmen the latest information on school consolidation and school funding. The former is going well enough, he said, as China begins disengaging from its union with Vassalboro and Winslow and creating a regional school unit with Belgrade, Oakland, Rome and Sidney. Nomination papers for members of the Regional School Unit 18 board are now available at the School Administrative District 47 office, 41 Heath St., Oakland.