STRONG – Selectmen got overwhelming approval from townspeople Saturday to spend whatever they think is necessary for a new loader. They will also buy a dump body for a town truck.

About 80 voters attended the annual meeting, with only three opposed to the equipment purchases.

Clyde Barker, highway supervisor and selectman for the town, said the board had gotten prices for a new loader that ranged from $73,000 to $119,000, after trading in a 1986 John Deere model.

The town had more than $81,000 saved in the equipment fund and added $20,000 to that Saturday.

Selectmen asked for full authority to spend for the loader, saying they would go after the bid that made the most sense in terms of quality and low cost.

But resident Rupert Pratt suggested townspeople allow selectmen to spend up to $75,000, an idea supported by his wife, Sue.

Perry Ellsworth, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, said they expected to spend between $75,000 and $85,000 and a cap would be too limiting.

“You elect us, and we are fiscally responsible,” he said.

After back-and-forth banter about whether the town should vote to set a cap or give selectmen free reign, voters allowed selectmen to spend what they need for the new loader.

The article on whether to by a new dump body for the 1997 Ford L-8000 truck also generated some heat.

Ellsworth suggested that would cost between $7,000 and $17,000, and Sue Pratt suggested that after the purchase of the loader and the dump body, the special equipment account would be cleaned out.

“I hope nothing else breaks this year,” she said, adding that if something did, selectmen would be back before the town asking for more money.

In the end, the article passed.

Strong voters raised $450,794, which is around $30,000 more than last year.

They raised $38,500 for administration, $15,100 for ambulance service, $43,000 for insurance, $55,000 for winter roads, $12,520 for the fire department’s operating costs and $27,000 for the hydrant account,

Many of those gathered were among the older residents of the community, like sisters Anna Scamman, 75, and Louise Stacy, 84. Because they can’t drive, their nephew picked them up and brought them to the meeting.

Although both now live in elderly housing in Farmington, they grew up in Strong and have family there.

“I enjoy knowing what’s going on and seeing the people,” Scamman said. “We’ve been going since before we could even vote. This is a good crowd here today.”

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