AVON — Residents paid a loving tribute to a long-serving selectman for his dedicated community service at the annual town meeting Saturday.

Approximately 40 voters approved a slate of officers and moved smoothly through the 59 articles in the 2017 warrant. Voters also offered a heartfelt tribute to outgoing Third Selectman John Calloway for his service as a selectman, teacher and member of the Franklin County Budget Committee.

Calloway said the town had given him an even-greater gift. He explained that after the death of his son, he had been determined to isolate himself. The Avon community said they needed him, and he listened.

“When I was elected (as selectman), it forced me back into life,” Calloway said. “It has been an enormous gift given to me by this community, and I want to thank you very much.”

Voters approved the following:

• To raise and appropriate $228,000, approximately $50,000 more than last year’s budget;

• To appropriate $35,000 from excise taxes and carry over $34,735 from 2016 for maintenance and repair of summer roads; and

• To raise $25,000 for a savings account in anticipation of future road reconstruction costs.

Saving money for these larger projects will avoid borrowing funds and paying interest, according to First Selectman Greta Espeaignnette.

One resident asked which projects require the most immediate attention.

“The Mile Square Road needs to be done right off,” Road Commissioner Jerry Haines said.

Voters also pay area towns for fire protection, library and waste disposal. Avon paid a little over $27,000 last year to use the Phillips transfer station, but residents also pay toward maintenance of the compactor, Selectman Jerry Gilchrist explained.

Voters also approved paying an estimated $33,432 to Phillips and $8,000 to Strong for fire protection for the year. The town has a 2016 carryover of $40,669 and appropriated $25,000 for 2017.

Voters also approved the following:

• To raise $200 for the Avon Little League;

• To raise $1,800 for the Walli Ball Field and playground maintenance; and

• To use $1,500 from the Public Service account to build a moveable 8- by 10-foot snack shack and storage building.

Resident Marie Pillsbury also convinced voters that paying $934 to Community Concepts would help defray costs for those like her, without transportation or financial resources, to get to medical appointments.

Even though the town sold its Historical Society building, several residents volunteer and are board members of the Phillips Historical Society.

Residents agreed to support the Phillips Historical Society’s ongoing efforts to store and archive Avon’s historical records, approving $500.

Voters re-elected incumbents First Selectman Greta Espeaignnette, Road Commissioner Jerry Haines, Town Clerk/Tax Collector/Registrar Mary Dunham, Constable Bruce Dunham and Treasurer/Deputy Tax Collector Maureen Haley, to serve another term.

Former Selectman Jerry Gilchrist was elected to serve the remaining two years of John Calloway’s term as selectman.

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