OXFORD – Residents at the annual town meeting Saturday will elect three selectmen and be asked to approve a budget that is $257 less than this year’s.

The meeting opens at 10 a.m. at Oxford Elementary School with election of officers.

Three selectmen – one for one year and two for three years – will be chosen, along with three assessors, two SAD 17 Directors, a Water District trustee and a meeting moderator.

The seats of former Selectmen David Ivey and Caldwell Jackson are open due to Ivey’s move to Paris and Jackson’s election as county commissioner. Jackson had a year left on his term.

Chairman Scott Owens said he is seeking re-election.

Nominations for office are taken from the floor.

The proposed budget of $3,127,145 is slightly less than last year’s $3,127,402.

“We expect a very mild town meeting,” Town Manager Michael Chammings said. “The budget’s been flat for three years. It’s hard to do. The problem is we have a county and school budget that is consistently going up.”

Chammings said the town’s budget has also been challenged by rising utility costs.

This year, voters will be asked to budget a full-time drug agent to be shared with Paris and Norway. Currently, the three towns share a part-time drug agent.

It is unclear how much of the pay Oxford will be responsible for until Norway and Paris have their town meetings next week, Chammings said. A drug agent will be at the town meeting to discuss the issue with voters.

Voters will also be asked to approve changes in the bylaws of the Budget Committee, making them less restrictive on meeting times and lengthening the maximum term to nine consecutive years, member John Crumpton said.

Another article seeks permission for selectmen to dispose of town personal property valued at $5,000 or less, and by public bid if the value is more than $5,000.

Another article seeks permission for selectmen to sell and dispose of real estate obtained through the subdivision ordinance for open space and recreational purposes. Money from the sale must be used for expansion of recreational, park land, playground and open space.

Acceptance of Longview Drive, which is off Allen Hill Road, as a town road is also on the warrant.

In other action, residents will be asked to approve $452,102 for the Police Department; $433,915 for the Highway Department; $217,384 for the Fire Department; $193,585 for the Rescue Department; and $217,339 for the waste transfer station.

Copies of the combined town report and meeting warrant are available at the town office on Pleasant Street and will be available at the meeting.