A growing population, failing roads and maintaining experienced police and rescue workers have some voters and selectmen eager to get Epsom back on track.

About 55 voters turned out to the Feb. 3 deliberative session of Town Meeting. Some were adament about controlling spending, while others said the town can no longer wait to repair roads and bring fire and police salaries up to par with surrounding towns.

In the mix is the 2008-09 proposed operating budget of $2.8 million, which is about $525,000 higher than last year. If approved, taxes would increase $1.15 per $1,000 assessed property valuation.

If this year’s budget fails, Epsom would operate under a default budget for the fourth consecutive year. The default would bring spending to $2.46 million, meaning a tax increase of about 28 cents per $1,000 assessed property valuation.

Epsom Budget Committee Chairman Harvey Harkness said about 70 percent of the budget increase between 2007 and 2008 is for road projects as outlined in the town’s six-year plan.

“There’s no better time than the present to bite the bullet,” said Harness. “I believe it’s time to fix our roads.”

Of the 22 articles going to voters on March 11, four garnered the most discussion at the deliberative session: Article 3, which asks to pay $57,054 for six months salary, benefits and equipment for one police officer and one firefighter. Article 4, $82,815 for a one-time pay adjustment to annual salaries for fire and police. Article 9, rebuilding a portable salt shed to comply with state regulations. And, Article 12, whether the town should invest in a long-term lease for a Highway Department backhoe/ loader for $70,398, payable over four years.

In a combined effort, Police Chief Wayne Preve and Fire Chief Stewart Yeaton asked voters to approve articles 3 and 4 so each department can provide adequate coverage.

“I feel this is one of the most important articles we have to vote on this year,” said Selectmen Bob McKechnie about Article 3. “Because of the default budgets, our police and fire have had no raises and have brought us below comparisons.”

Both said call volumes are up because of growth, and each department assists other towns when needed.

“We can’t be relying on other towns. We have to take responsibility for our own,” said Yeaton.

Preve also presented a salary comparison between Epsom and 38 other departments across the state, and said a patrolman in Epsom earns $15.22 per hour, compared to Allenstown, which pays $22.34. For chief, the annual salary in Epsom is $50,764, while Allenstown pays $72,000.

Preve and Yeaton stressed safety and saving the town money by retaining qualified officers and firefighters. Preve said it takes time and money to hire and train officers, all to have them leave for higher-paying jobs in neighboring communities.

The pair fielded questions from residents, including Bruce Graham, who asked whether it was more cost effective to give a person a raise or to train them.

“I don’t want to become a training ground for other departments,” said Preve. “It costs the town money to train and pay them, then lose them.”

Yeston said his department has higher restrictions because he can’t hire firefighters/EMTs who are untrained.

“We have a lot of frequent flyers in our ambulance service and we need trained people who know the roads,” said Yeaton. “Do you want a new person working on you when you have chest pains, or do you want someone with a little experience?” Resident Dan McQuire questioned Preve’s salary analysis. “Allenstown pays more.

Might it be that Allenstown has a bigger police department than we have?” he said.

Resident Virginia Drew supported the move for additional fire and police and salary increases.

“I commend the chief, officers and the secretary,” she said.

“No matter what they’re paid, they’re out there protecting us.” A need for a town salt and sand shed also came under fire. After a lengthy discussion, Article 9 was amended adding the words “portable or permanent.” “This way, there’s more flexibility to either build a portable or permanent salt shed,” said Nancy Wheeler.

The article asks for $71,000, of which $39,000 would be raised from taxes and using $32,000 from a capital reserve fund. The fate of all 22 articles and the proposed operating budget is now up to voters. Voters will cast ballots on Tuesday, March 11, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Epsom Central School.