OXFORD — Aware of a growing need for capital improvements, this week selectmen recommended the highest figure they believe taxpayers can bear.

That budget was set at $395,000 for road maintenance, a new firetruck, new highway equipment, work at Welchville and Thompson Lake dams and a highway vehicle.

“It’s nowhere near enough,” Selectman Scott Owens said, “but I don’t dare do any more.”

The board also approved increases for the police and fire departments, setting the final 2017 budget at $4.5 million, a 16 percent increase over the current fiscal budget, for an increase of about $630,000. Townspeople will vote on the 2017 budget at the annual town meeting in June.

Last year, residents approved $3.87 million for local spending.

This year, selectmen approved the cost of administration at $670,480, which includes an increase in health insurance payments. Town employees will receive incentive raises and cost of living increases in the coming year.

And the Police Department’s $895,820 budget was approved after discussing holiday pay, cellphone costs, a $60,000 increase in payroll, raises, pay adjustments, holiday pay, outfitting costs and ammunition. Overall, the proposed Police Department budget is up $105,017 over current spending.

During that discussion, Oxford resident Bill Penfold volunteered to contribute $500 to the Police Department to help pay part of the $1,000 needed to operate the DARE program.

The line item of $381,469 for the Fire Department was approved after discussing the cost of telephones, data plans, uniforms, replacement of aging turnout gear, and cutting an overestimated fire captain’s position. That represents just over $40,000 more than current spending.

In discussing the Fire Department funding, there was a debate about the department conducting solicitations to fund programs on behalf of the Police Department, which is forbidden by law to solicit contributions.

“We already made the decision at the Fire Department we’re no longer going to (solicit for the Police Department), said Mark Blaquiere, a rescue lieutenant, “because we’re hurting ourselves when we go out and ask for money. We’re giving all our donations to the Police Department. Now when we ask for donations, we don’t get them because we’re giving all of ours to them.”

“I don’t understand that, Mark,” said Selectman Roger Jackson, “how you’re suffering or how they’re suffering. If we work together, nobody should be suffering.”

“We want to buy a trailer to store our water rescue equipment,” Blaquiere said. “If we give that money to (the Police Department), how can we buy a trailer we’re trying to raise money for?”

Selectmen noted that, with the purchase of the new firetruck, the capital improvements account will have to be replenished with $50,000 every year until the truck is paid for.

The Fire Department reported the engine for the town’s ladder tower truck will have to be repaired because numerous metal fragments were discovered in the oil pan.

Looking forward, Owens said, the town must start planning the replacement of a rescue vehicle.

Budget items that were approved:

• Highway Department, $584,231, after a brief discussion of the value of repairing a street sweeper.

• Recreation budget, $82,765, an increase of $2,700, after discussing hiring a recreation specialist, a swimming teacher and the cost of operating an ice-skating rink. 

• Public safety building maintenance, $50,450, after discussing possible use of infrared heating in the truck bays and replacing three-phase electrical service to the building with single-phase.

• Wastewater treatment facility, $520,068, after discussing laying sewer lines along Route 26. Several comments were made about the lengthy process of installing the lines, and Owens said an additional contractor has been called in to help with the work. There will be no cost overrun for that extra help.

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