STRONG — Voters at Saturday’s annual town meeting will be asked to approve a municipal budget that is 11.5 percent more than in 2014.

The meeting opens with elections from 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the Forster Memorial Building. Two selectmen, one school board director and three Budget Committee members will be elected.

The town meeting resumes at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Forster Memorial Building.

Last year’s spending totaled $562,617; selectmen have recommended a 2015 budget of $627,384, which is an increase of $64,766.

The Budget Committee recommended spending $20,000 less than selectmen.

Although the winter roads account has used $3,000 less this year than at the end of February 2014, selectmen recommend raising $78,000 for next year. The Budget Committee recommended $75,000.

The Budget Committee also recommended cutting the insurance account by $10,000 and the administration account by $2,000.

Selectmen will recommend taking $250,000 from surplus to reduce the tax commitment.

Some warrant articles cover construction and maintenance of buildings. One article requests $8,000 to start foundation replacement for the pole barn next to the town garage. The building has deteriorated, letting water inside, which freezes equipment to the floor.

Selectman Mike Pond said committing $8,000 per year for the next three years will allow the building to be repaired and rebuilt for equipment storage.

Another article requests $2,500 to repair and upgrade the deteriorated salt shed.

Fire protection requires budgeting for equipment purchases several years in advance. Strong bills Franklin County commissioners and the town of Avon for fire protection and related services.

Fire Chief Duayne Boyd has requested the transfer of $6,500 from Franklin County funds, $3,000 from Avon funds and voters’ approval for an additional $6,500 for the Fire Department Equipment Account. He also asks to transfer $1,500 from Avon funds and $15,000 from Strong taxpayers for the Fire Department Operating Account.

Selectmen and the Budget Committee recommend $20,000 be added to the Fire Department Truck Reserve Account.

Voters will be asked to authorize selectmen to have a piece of town property, between the park and the former landfill, cleared for a Little League field or other recreational purposes. Volunteers will do the clearing work.

Planning Board Chairman Jeff Murphy requested approval of revisions to the 1993 Road Standards Ordinance. Renamed the Street Standards Ordinance, the document incorporates all state-mandated updates and clarifications for citizens’ safety and approved construction standards.