STRONG — As the March town meeting draws nearer, selectmen Tuesday evening debated ways to address the looming costs of replacing aging highway equipment.

After the board reviewed the draft warrant, they agreed to add another article to buy a new truck.

Selectman Mike Pond presented the proposal to fund a lease-purchase agreement to replace the highway department’s rusting 1994 Volvo truck. The estimated cost is about $158,000.

The town is facing a significant deficit in reserve funds for highway equipment purchases, according to Pond. A highway truck that might have cost $80,000 years ago now could cost $200,000, he said. Historically, he said, selectmen and voters have not prepared for significant price increases by setting aside more money.

He was concerned voters would not understand the importance of supporting the highway department’s heavy equipment replacement plan and funding it adequately.

“You’ve got to get into a cycle of replacing that stuff,” he said.

He asked selectmen to add the article for a multiyear lease-purchase agreement for a new Western Star truck and plow. Voters wouldn’t be asked for any more than the annual $25,000 for the Special Equipment Reserve account, he said.

The Budget Committee had recommended raising and appropriating only $15,000 for that account.

Although the Budget Committee and selectmen met several times in January to discuss all other warrant articles and costs, selectmen agreed the truck replacement issue was critical enough to add the article.

Another article will revisit spending priorities.

At a special town meeting in 2018, voters supported refurbishing the tennis court on Burbank Hill. However, since then others have protested the expense, saying there was very little use of the court.

Subsequently, Selectman Rob Elliott researched costs and reported an estimate for the improvements is $25,000.

Voters will be asked to decide whether to continue saving money for the improvements.

The annual town meeting will start Friday, March 15, with the election of officers from 1 to 6 p.m. at Forster Memorial Building.

Four people are vying for three selectmen seats.

Since Selectman Dick Worthley resigned in December, one seat will be for a two-year term. The other two are for full three-year terms. Incumbents Rob Elliott and Mike Pond are running again, and former Selectman Jim Burrill and newcomer Andy Pratt have announced their candidacies.

There are no candidates for a vacant School Administrative District 58 board seat. Interim director Barbara Worthley agreed to serve only until March.

The annual town meeting will resume at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, at the Forster Memorial Building.

Selectmen expressed hope that taxpayers would appreciate the importance of voting for all articles on the town warrant and stay for the entire meeting.