Improving roads and rebuilding the town’s sand and salt supply top the list of items Litchfield voters will consider at this year’s Town Meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at the Litchfield Sportmen’s Club at 2782 Hallowell Road. The town election is to be held Tuesday.

Town Manager Trudy Lamoreau said spending in the warrant is up 11 percent to nearly $1.5 million, but almost all of that increase is attributable to extra spending in paving and public works. Without those items, the spending increase would be just 1 percent. Lamoreau said if the budget is approved as presented, the tax rate would jump from $12.30 to $13.10, which means a person who owns a $100,000 home would see his or her property taxes increase $80, from $1,230 to $1,310.

Selectmen are asking voters to spend $210,000 on paving, which is up from $125,000 this year. Lamoreau said the increase is driven by the comprehensive plan voters adopted last year.

“Part of that plan is to continue to improve our roads,” Lamoreau said. “They don’t feel $125,000 is enough.”

Lamoreau said the town typically tries to repave three miles of road each year.

“It depends on the price of asphalt,” she said. Selectmen sometimes delay buying asphalt until the prices are more reasonable. Money unspent in a given year is rolled over until the next year, Lamoreau said.

Lamoreau said spending in public works would increase from $247,000 this year to $293,000 next year if the budget is passed as proposed. Selectmen plan to use part of that increase to maintain equipment.

“It’s been neglected for a number of years,” Lamoreau said. “It’s been passed off year to year, and things need to be replaced.”

Lamoreau said the budget for salt went from $35,000 to $50,000.

“Last winter was brutal,” she said.

The elections for local office are scheduled to take place during the statewide vote, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Sportsmen’s Club.

There are no contested races. George Thompson is seeking a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen, and Jessica Childs is seeking a three-year term on the Regional School Unit 4 board of directors.

David Blocher is the only registered candidate for two three-year terms on the Budget Committee, and Esther Slattery and Elton Wade are seeking three-year terms as Litchfield Academy trustees.

Craig Crosby — 621-5642

[email protected]

Twitter: @CraigCrosby