MINOT — Selectmen on Monday made recommendations on the $1.5 million municipal budget for fiscal year 2014, which begins Feb. 1.

The budget will go to voters at the March 1 annual town meeting.

The board left standing most of the funding requests, as presented by Town Administrator Arlan Saunders. However, it chose not to make any recommendation regarding the Minot-Hebron Athletic Associations request for $2,000 to upgrade the infields of two town ball fields.

Selectmen also took no position on a proposal to renovate and expand the Central Fire Station, estimated to cost about $536,000.

The proposal for an improved and expanded fire station failed to gather support at last year’s town meeting.

This year, while taking no position on the project, the board voted to move the warrant article from consideration on town meeting floor to a referendum at the polls Friday, Feb. 28. That is the date of municipal elections.

Selectmen recommended that no money be raised to replace the Fire Department’s 2001 forestry truck. The department is requesting $35,000 for a new forestry truck.

The board is recommending funding for new plow truck to replace the 1998 International. Saunders estimated that cost at about $175,000 after trade-in. Financed over four years, the annual payments would be about $45,000.

Selectmen will meet with the Budget Committee this week to go over the proposed 2014 budget.

The Budget Committee will meet the week of Jan. 13 to make its recommendations.

Highway Supervisor Scott Parker reported that town crews have been busy the past few weeks dealing with snow and ice. He said there is a strong possibility he could run out of sand and salt.

Saunders said it appeared the winter road account could be overdrafted by $10,000 to $15,000 for the fiscal year that ends Jan. 31.

“We’ve used about three-quarters of our sand pile already. I spoke with Greg Washburn (who supplied the town with sand this year),” Saunders said. “He assures me that he is in a position to supply us with any additional winter sand required.”

Saunders also noted that the town has used about 75 percent of its salt allotment.

Town Clerk Heidi Hersey reminded residents that nomination papers for one selectman and two RSU 16 directors are due at the Town Office by Friday, Jan. 24.