Voters might take a skeptical look at spending articles on the March 16 annual town meeting warrant, First Selectman David Abbott says.

The meeting, at the fire station on Route 218, begins at 10 a.m.

On Friday, March 15, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., residents will gather at the firehouse for the elections portion of the meeting.

Second Selectman Jonathan Villeneuve, Third Selectman David Reingardt and Road Commissioner Jeff Verney are up for re-election, but none are opposed.

Abbott said articles on wage increases for fire department members and on money for a revaluation fund might prompt discussion.

According to one article, wages for the fire chief, assistant fire chief and the three captains would double. Currently, Abbott said, the fire chief earns $1,500 while the assistant gets $1,000 and the captains $250. Captains were paid for the first time last year, he said.

“There’s no argument as to their being underpaid,” Abbott said. “But everybody in town government’s underpaid. Maybe people will hedge a little when they’re all of a sudden going to double it.”

Abbott said taxes in town, at $21.80 per $1,000 in assessed property value — already are high.

In another spending article, voters will consider putting $30,000 into a reserve account to conduct a new townwide property valuation. Abbott said the town has been putting $5,000 a year into the account, which now stands at $25,300.

The town’s valuation is at 85 percent of state value, and the state normally doesn’t “start pushing” until it’s around 70 percent, Abbott said.

“I just don’t think the state’s going to push us to do that,” he said. “I don’t feel there’s any real rush.”

Residents also will vote on an article to add $25,000 to a reserve roads account. Money is left over from last year’s roads budget, Abbott said.

lgrard@timesrecord.com