OXFORD — Selectmen on Thursday night finalized the annual town meeting warrant that asked voters to approve $3.83 million in municipal spending and take on maintenance of a new road.

Despite substantial increases for some departments compared to last year, the overall budget is down about 1 percent from 2014-15. The reduction of roughly $192,000 in interest and capital payments is largely being offset with increases to the fire, police and highway departments.

The addition of a new officer at the Police Department for a second year in a row is driving its $116,683 budget increase over last year, bringing total spending to $790,803. The cost will be offset by $68,000 in outside funding for two years.

The Fire Department will see a $60,000 increase to $341,338, or 21 percent more than this fiscal year. The increase is driven by creating a full-time chief position. 

The town will put $60,000 set aside last year toward repair work to the Welchville Dam, a project Town Manager Michael Chammings said could run the town about $400,000 total.

Almost every article asks taxpayers to fund town services at a higher amount than last year.

The town is also asking voters to add Diffin Road to the list of town-maintained roads. The dead-end road is off Route 26 on Pigeon Hill and north of Oxford Casino.

The annual meeting is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Oxford Elementary School.

Election of selectmen, water district trustees and school board directors will take place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at the Public Safety Building on Route 26. Selectmen Floyd Thayer and Peter Laverdiere are being challenged by Joan Quinn and Fire Chief Scott Hunter.

ccrosby@sunmediagroup.net

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