AVON — Voters spent a little more than 90 minutes Saturday approving their town budget, electing six town officials and adopting new ordinances.

Greta Espeaignnette was elected first selectman for a three-year term. Incumbents re-elected were Treasurer Maureen Haley, Road Commissioner Jerry Haines, Town Clerk and Tax Collector Mary Dunham and Health Officer Veronica Plog.

Voters approved purchasing TRIO real estate and motor vehicle registration software and, if necessary, a new computer. The only available computer, Haley said, is running on the Windows 2000 operating system.

This year, the town budget has stayed $50,000 below the state’s allowable property tax increase, departing First Selectman Robert Ellis said, and the surplus account is in excellent shape.

“We went from $316,000 last year to $356,000 in that account this year,” he said.

The town’s mill rate of $12.80 per $1,000 of valuation is lower than the previous year, based on increased revenues from property, excise and boat taxes and earned interest.

“Excise tax collected increased from $63,356 to $78,173, so we are comfortable using a little more of that money to help keep taxes lower,” Ellis said.

Voters appropriated $35,000 from excise taxes to pay for summer road maintenance and repair, including resurfacing the Mount Blue Road.

They applauded Phillips fire Chief Jim Gould and his team, who answer calls for most of the town.

And, they approved $25,000 as their share of the Phillips transfer station costs.

Some questioned funding the Greater Franklin Chamber of Commerce and agencies that request allocations without sending a representative to explain their services. Others thought funding was or should be handled by the Franklin County commissioners. Voters declined to approve funding for those groups.

The nuisance dog ordinance was unanimously approved, allowing the animal control officer more power to summon or fine owners who do not license their pets, let them run at large or allow them to disturb the peace.

The wind energy facility ordinance will require proposed commercial and residential projects to meet stringent codes.

A third new ordinance adopted Planning Board standards for subdivisions, including permitting, groundwater impacts, roadways, drainage and setbacks.

Townspeople also said farewell to First Selectman Ellis, who contributed significant time and energy to managing yearly budgets and keeping taxes in line with spending, according to his appreciative friends and neighbors.