In a little more than two hours, voters approved a 52-article warrant and a lean budget with few changes from last year.

The Saturday morning meeting, moderated by Roger Lambert, drew about 50 residents.

The $575,198 appropriation does not include next year's school budget, but increased state revenues based on higher property valuations in 2006 will help, according to assessor Robert Worthley. State valuation figures are used to apportion costs among municipalities, and Strong's 2006 valuation reflected the then-booming real estate market.

"Strong's increase is pretty significant," Worthley said.

Voters approved an increase in NorthStar EMS' request for $13,000, up from last year's appropriation of $10,700.

Lower costs for heating oil and fuel for vehicles meant this year's winter-roads account spending was $5,000 lower than last year's at this time, according to Selectman Rupert Pratt.

Taxpayers unconditionally supported their fire department, approving $6,500 from county funds, $6,000 from the town of Avon, and $6,500 from taxpayers for the next year. The town also approved $16,500 for the department's operating account and $10,000 for its payroll account. Another $20,000 was set aside for the firetruck reserve account.

Selectmen said they worked with the Budget Committee to include warrant articles from outside agencies, but they agreed that representatives should expect to come to a budget meeting to present their case.

"We decided if groups couldn't send a representative, we weren't going to ask taxpayers for money," Selectman Clyde Barker said.

Voters on Friday re-elected Barker. Selectman Rupert Pratt was defeated by Rebecca Croteau for a three-year term. School board incumbent Ann Schwink defeated challenger Andrew Pratt. Budget Committee incumbents Lois Barker, Eloise Stevens and Scott Dyar were re-elected for three-year terms.

In a short meeting after the town meeting adjourned, selectmen elected Milton Baston as chairman and James Burrill as vice chairman.