MONSON – Monson residents took their time at the annual town meeting on Monday to discuss the proposed construction of a sand and salt shed.

About 40 residents ultimately voted to borrow up to $170,000 to build a shed to replace the former building, which has been condemned. The town’s insurance carrier will not insure the building after March, residents were advised.

Until a new building can be constructed, town officials will use a temporary pad to store 200 cubic yards of sand and salt. Town officials received a special permit from the Department of Environmental Protection for the pad, which is valid until October.

Residents questioned why the town had to construct a costly building to cover the sand and salt when other communities, including the Department of Transportation, operate without one.

Town officials said the town is required by law to cover the salt and sand pile to prevent groundwater contamination.

Town Manager Judith Doore said an engineer retained by the town provided estimates for three buildings ranging in size and cost from $120,000 to $170,000. More study will be done to determine what building will be constructed, she said.

An article that established the hours of the transfer station also generated lively discussion. Residents voted 24-12 to set the hours from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Another option, which was favored by at least one business owner and others in the audience, was to keep it open on Sunday rather than Saturday.

Resident John Greenleaf, who favored neither option, attempted to amend the article to reflect other hours but was denied the opportunity. He was told that the article had a monetary significance although no funds were listed in the warrant article.

In other business, approval was given to change the positions of town clerk and town treasurer to appointed rather than elected positions.

Elected to office were Julie Anderson as town clerk, Mark Lewis as selectman, David Raye Jr. and Jane Hewes to the gym committee, Joyce Copeland to the board of appeals and Cynthia Turner to the planning board.