STRONG — A selectman and former SAD 58 director plans to pursue a change in the voting power for the town’s two school directors.

Mike Pond, who previously served for 18 years on the school board, reported Tuesday night that he has received affirmation from the Maine Department of Education that the town does not have fair representation on the board.

Seven directors currently represent Kingfield, Avon, Strong and Phillips, and each representative’s vote counts equally. Former Selectmen Rupert Pratt had asked the board earlier in 2013 to consider changing to a weighted vote system, but a citizens’ petition did not have enough signatures to represent the required 10 percent of the entire district. After the board declined to take action, Pond appealed to the office of state Commissioner of Education Stephen Bowen.

Maine law allows the weighted vote option, he said, and Department of Education Deputy Commissioner Jim Rier agreed that Pond’s request was valid.

“I talked to Jim Rier’s office again today,” Pond said. “The good news is that since they have restructured MSAD 58, the commissioner has directed the superintendent and the board to redo the school board to give the town of Strong fair representation.”

With Eustis’ population no longer part of the total count, Pond said, the board does not have the option to reject the request.

“They have to do it,” he said.

The June 18 school budget vote could mean an increase for Strong taxpayers, and board Vice Chairman Jim Burrill suggested selectmen prepare for the worst by starting their annual budget review in July. State revenues are not finalized, so selectmen can’t predict how much money they have to work with.

“One (state) plan means we lose $13,000 in revenue sharing, and another plan means we’ll lose $80,000,” Burrill said.

In other news, Dan Worcester, former sales representative for Northline Energy, asked selectmen to draft a letter asking Ron Kirkendorfer, the Washington-based company’s owner and president, to uphold his promise to reimburse the town $2,500 as compensation for late delivery of the town’s pellet boiler. Because of several weeks’ delay, the town had to spend extra money on heating oil for the Forster Memorial Building. Selectmen also will ask for reassurance that the company will continue to provide parts and support for the boiler.

Selectmen also authorized Aaron Knapp of Western Mountain Financial to act as their representative for management of the town’s cemetery trust funds.

Massachusetts Financial Services has managed the Massachusetts Investment Trust, but selectmen must authorize any changes to be done through a licensed broker/dealer. Western Mountain Financial uses LPL Financial LLC for such transactions, and Knapp will not be allowed to make any changes to the account unless authorized by a town official.

Selectmen signed the Franklin County Animal Shelter contract for $2,183.40. The annual agreement, which starts July 1, requires the animal control officer to meet specific certification requirements.

Selectmen reviewed the proposed contract that Town Clerk Raylene Tolman will ask Laura White, the town’s animal control officer, to sign. Tolman said White will be required to have a working telephone number and Strong residents should not call the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Tolman said she has drafted White’s new contract with a requirement that White report to selectmen monthly.