AVON — Voters at Saturday’s annual town meeting will be asked to approve funds to fix roads, buy a plow truck, and build a new roof for the town office.

The meeting begins at 9 a.m. March 17 at the Town Office.

“Last year, we asked for about $158,000, and this year, we’re asking for about $168,000” to run the town, First Selectman Greta Espeaignnette said.

Even with less snow, funding for winter roads has run low.  

“Last year, due to a surplus, we appropriated $12,000 from excise tax funds for winter roads, instead of the usual $30,000,” Espeaignnette said.  “With increased fuel costs, we’ll need to appropriate $35,000.”

The remaining undesignated surplus account should have ample funds for unanticipated expenses, she said.

In the past, taxpayers approved another $15,000 from excise taxes to help with road paving costs, but since the winter roads account needs to be funded, voters will be asked to raise that amount from taxes.

Also, the flat roof on the Town Office has continued to leak despite numerous repair attempts, so voters will be asked to approve taking Urban Development Action Grant funds to build a pitched roof.

“We’re asking for $15,000, instead of last year’s $10,000, for equipment maintenance, due to the decrease in carry-over funds, combined with increased part costs,” Espeaignnette said.

Voters need to dip into the Equipment Funds account, because, despite repair efforts, the 2001 town plow truck has reached its life expectancy. 

“We are recommending using $95,000 of those funds, with an estimated $40,000 five-year loan, to purchase another truck,” Espeaignnette said. 

The first year’s payments of $9,000 would be raised through taxes.

“We recommend selling the 2001 truck and putting that money toward the purchase of another replacement truck in five years,” Espeaignnette said.

Selectman Jerry Gilchrist has indicated he is willing to serve another three-year term if nominated from the floor.

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