STRONG — Selectmen signed a 42-article warrant Tuesday night that includes a request to buy a new plow truck.

The article was a last-minute addition, according to Selectman Mike Pond, because the 2004 Volvo plow truck has significant rust and increasing mechanical problems.

Taxpayers at the March 16 annual town meeting will be asked to approve buying a new truck, with a $28,000 trade-in on the old one. If approved, a lease-purchase agreement will be paid over six years. Payments will not exceed $31,000 annually, and the interest rate will be about 4.45 percent, Pond said.

In other matters, Pond said plow drivers are using road salt at a faster rate this year than last because of the weather.

“It costs a lot of money,” he said.

He also said there is a shortage of drivers.

The roads are cleared, salted and sanded as efficiently and quickly as possible, but department foreman Duayne Boyd has found few people available to work. Taxpayers might have to consider hiring a part-time employee, Pond said.

Selectman Rodney Spiller said he was having difficulty finding volunteers to serve on the Lance Cpl. Scott Paul Veterans Memorial Park Committee. Susan Ellsworth started improving the park 25 years ago, but she is no longer volunteering to organize the annual cleanup, summer activities and fundraising.

Ellsworth’s volunteers have raised thousands of dollars in donations for new playground equipment and other amenities for the park.

Spiller said he’s happy to have volunteers continue their efforts, but town officials need to be updated.

“I don’t care if there’s a park or if there’s nothing there, it’s the town’s responsibility,” he said.

Spiller said some citizens have suggested fencing the property.

“That would cost thousands of dollars,” he said.