BUCKFIELD – The new town garage is almost finished and selectmen Thursday night set a public tour for March 20 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. with scheduled activities to follow.

Town Manager Cindy Dunn said, “Bids for paving will go out soon, and that is the only significant cost remaining.”

The project budget was $200,000, and to date $186,248.71 has been spent. The surplus of $13,751.29 will just about cover the remaining costs, she said.

Board Chairman Skip Stanley said even though the town has approved money to prosecute junkyard violators, officials will first send certified letters to them to offer assistance in complying with the state law before legal action is taken. The violators will be asked to respond by the next selectmen’s meeting.

The spring thaw is coming sooner than expected and the railroad bed Recreational Trail is already seeing vehicle damage, officials were told. Selectman Oscar Gammon said four-wheelers were doing the most damage. The board passed a motion to barricade the trail from C.F. Wells’ property to South Pond allowing only ATVs unless this gets to be a problem as well. That part of the trail will be posted until May 15 or sooner if conditions permit.

Buckfield will post all roads Friday.

The board voted to set June 8 for town elections and June 23 for the annual town meeting.

The board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Robert Lipham who has served the Planning Board for approximately 15 years, and Gammon commended him on doing a good job.

Wes Ackley, chairman of the Planning Board, gave an update on the Hallie Estates Subdivision where there appears to be a violation. There is a discrepancy over the ownership of a five-acre plot, which has to be resolved.