STRONG — The 2015-16 Franklin County budget includes a $75,000 increase for improving communications for emergency response services, selectmen were told Tuesday night.

Selectman Mike Pond, who is on the county Budget Committee, said much of the added expense comes from a change in the bandwidth allowed for dispatch signals from the county office to individual town fire departments.

The county has to pay $5,000 to connect to a new fiber optic service and $1,800 a year to maintain radio signal transmission for Weld, Strong and Phillips.

Fire Chief Duayne Boyd said the town’s costs shouldn’t be a financial burden to taxpayers. The Fire Department may require repeaters in their trucks, but that expense is a small one compared to the county’s expense.

“We’ve upgraded over the years, and we have a decent system,” Boyd said.

Selectmen approved pursuing an inmate work release program for appropriate summer public works projects. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department can send two inmates and town public works employees Aaron Marden and Boyd have agreed to be responsible for their transportation and supervision.

The inmates will be assigned specific duties each day and will provide their own lunches, Boyd said.

The town of Jay has used the work release program, and Marden said they saved an estimated $30,000 in labor.

In other news, Selectman James Burrill said he contacted state officials about buying a voting machine before the 2016 election. He had suggested that the $700 to $800 cost would mean that employees wouldn’t have to stay on duty until early morning hours, saving the town money.

Joel Reed asked for $600 to support the two Cal Ripken youth baseball teams this season. Reed, Richard Carrier and Scott Luce will serve as coaches for the two teams.

Pond suggested Reed also write a letter asking Franklin County commissioners for financial support, because participating youngsters may come from unorganized territories.

Reed said the teams raise money from selling concessions at games.

“We ask each player for $20,” he said.

The teams have to pay $190 each to be chartered and insured through the Cal Ripken League. Reed estimated the total cost to support each team may be up to $800 per season.