STRONG — Selectmen finalized three months of their 2016 budget recommendations and requests at their meeting Tuesday night, after reviewing several remaining categories and adding a few new requests.

A proposal by Selectman Mike Pond would ask voters to approve a different way to fund the paving account. Rather than raising and appropriating $60,000 from taxpayers, he suggested taking $20,000 from anticipated 2016 vehicle excise taxes and $40,000 from surplus funds. Additionally, selectmen approved spending $18,448 from the Local Road Assistance Program account.

Selectmen completed the budget review, and the Budget Committee will review those figures and make additional recommendations as needed. Voters will decide whether to fund each budget request at the March 5 town meeting. Voters may approve spending more or less than recommended, but those who attend the March meeting will have the final say.

Selectmen also agreed to ask voters for up to $40,000 to buy a used excavator. The equipment the road crew uses is obsolete and in poor condition. A new excavator would cost $80,000, but a used backhoe could be found for $40,000 or less, Pond said.

Selectman Dick Worthley suggested they consider hiring a contractor to complete the jobs seasonally. The two Public Works employees shouldn’t have to fit the excavation projects around their busy work schedule and the weather, he said. 

Selectmen agreed to put the article on the warrant.

Resident Rob Elliott, a candidate for a selectman seat, owns a construction business and suggested such a large purchase might not be timely. The local economy depends on the forest products industry, he said, and that footing wasn’t looking as secure as it had a year ago.

“I’m just very skeptical about the next couple of years,” Elliott said.

Another new article will ask voters to raise $1,000 to replace or repair three signs at the town’s entrances. Additional money will come from donations.

In other matters, board Chairman Jim Burrill reviewed a letter from Franklin Memorial Hospital, noting that the town is required to have an employee agreement that includes a substance-abuse policy. The town has an existing policy and testing requirements for the two employees who drive town vehicles, but selectmen agreed to review required standards before the next meeting.

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