STRONG — With a March town meeting three weeks away, municipal officials have readied 2016 budget requests for voter approval.

Selectmen met Tuesday night to sign the annual warrant. The meeting kicks off Friday, March 4, with election of officers and resumes Saturday, March 5, for the remaining articles.

The 64-article warrant includes some new requests. One asks voters to authorize using some of the Village Cemetery trust fund to help maintain the nine cemeteries in town that contain veterans’ graves.

According to Board of Selectmen Chairman Jim Burrill, the town is required by state law to maintain veterans’ graves. Voters have approved spending money for mowing and trimming all cemeteries each year.

The Village Cemetery trust fund has accumulated at least $600,000 through sale of lots, plus dividends and interest since it was established in the early 1900s, Burrill said. Since several of the old cemeteries have deteriorated, selectmen suggest that some of the trust fund could help to fund restoration and repair some of the historic sites, while adhering to state requirements for veterans’ sites.

Selectmen will ask voters for $60,000 from surplus funds to pave roads, including the West Freeman Road, and for up to $40,000 to buy a used excavator.

Burrill also noted that the original principal of the Winston Beal Scholarship Fund and the Ralph and Anna Knowlton Trust have not earned enough interest to fund the annual $100 scholarships for graduating high school seniors in Strong. Either the fund must be replenished or selectmen will ask that the scholarship awards be given out until the original funds are depleted.

Polls will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Forster Memorial Building. Selectman Mike Pond is seeking re-election. Rob Elliott is unopposed for the selectman’s seat vacated by Milt Baston.

School board directors Loretta Deming and Jessie Stinchfield are unopposed for three-year terms, as is Fire Chief Duayne Boyd.

The town meeting will resume at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5. Lunch will be provided by the Methodist Church Auxiliary.