Residents will have their first chance to debate a $2.4 million bond for the replacement of the bridges on Lawrence and Cluff Crossing roads at the town’s first deliberative session at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, in the high school.

If voters pass the bond in March in its current state, selectmen hope to receive an 80 percent reimbursement on the cost of the work from the state’s Municipally Managed Bridge Aid Program, though the financial aid for the bridges may not be available until 2014 and 2015, according to Town Engineer Robert Puff.

The two projects have also been presented to the Local Government Center as part of a list of “shovel-ready” projects that could be funded through President Barack Obama’s proposed $818 million economic stimulus package.

Town Manager Jonathan Sistare believes that if the federal aid trickles down into New Hampshire, both projects might jump up on the state’s list and the financial reimbursement may be available sooner. Both have been on the state’s list of structurally deficient or unsound bridges since 2007.

Weight restrictions are currently in place on both bridges – a maximum of 10 tons of the Cluff Crossing bridge and 13 tons on the Lawrence Road bridge – forcing the town’s heavy fire apparatus to avoid the structures except during an emergency.

The town is also asking residents to approve a $32.9 million operating budget, down from the $37 million appropriated last year, for the ensuing fiscal year. Combined with the appropriation for bridge reconstruction, the town is looking to appropriate just over $35.3 million next year. Set off by $17.3 million in revenue from fees and permits, the cost to taxpayers will be $17.9 million.