DIXFIELD – Selectmen decided against calling a special town meeting to raise funds to cover the extra costs of this year’s frequent snowstorms.

Instead, Town Manager Tom Richmond said the board will wait until the regular town meeting in May to raise the money.

So far this season, the town has spent nearly $20,000 more than budgeted for plowing, sanding and salting. Some of that money was also used to repair an aged bucket loader that has been busy moving snow off the streets.

Richmond said state law allows the town to overspend the highway account by $45,000 without going to voters for additional money. Unless the number of winter storms during March and April exceeds the number so far this season, Richmond said the town should be OK.

He said the town has had to buy 500 cubic yards more sand and three more salt loads than usual.

Also at Monday’s meeting, he said selectmen heard presentations by the police and fire departments and the library as part of the budget process.

The Police Department is asking for about $19,000 more, largely because a new officer must attend police training. The library is asking for about $15,000 more than this year to buy books and establish a building maintenance account. The Fire Department reduced its annual request by about $2,000.

The Finance Committee will review these and other requests before final recommendations are made. That committee is scheduled to meet March 5 and 12.

Additional budget meetings for selectmen will continue Monday nights in March.

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