Only one measure on a 32-article warrant at Jefferson’s Town Meeting came close to defeat Tuesday.

A proposal to appropriate $845 for the benefit of Midcoast Maine Community Action squeaked through 134-131, but there was no heated debate. Jefferson conducts its annual Town Meeting by secret ballot, so votes on spending to keep town government operating for another year were tallied along with the votes in the municipal election.

In all, the town’s spending plan for the upcoming budget year outlined in the warrant is $576,846, with additional spending approved from a state block grant.

The budget as proposed by the Board of Selectmen — up $80,000 up from last year’s budget — reflects increases in administration costs to the town, including salaries, and an increased snow plowing contract. Some of the increases were mitigated by a decrease in funding for the transfer station.

Town residents also approved raising $20,000 for the Jefferson Fire and Rescue Fire Truck and Rescue Reserve Fund.

With voter approval, Punk Point and Valley roads will be rebuilt this year using $45,440 in state block grant funds, with an additional $9,500 for reconstruction and $3,000 for other work on Punk Point Road.

In a policy matter, voters also agreed to authorize the selectmen to tap funds from the town’s unreserved surplus to meet unexpected expenses in case requests for general assistance and the need for winter road maintenance are greater than anticipated. Without this authorization, special town meetings would be required before town roads could be plowed or additional assistance given.

Jefferson residents voted to keep Gregory Johnston on the Board of Selectmen for another three-year term; he ran unopposed. Wayne Johnston was re-elected road commissioner for another year in an uncontested race.

Four seats on the town’s Budget Committee were up, and voters chose four new people to serve for the three-year term in a fairly close vote: Glenn Gervais, 173; Andrew Johnston, 172; Joan Jackson, 165 and Shawn St. Cyr, 161. Robert Pisco received 116 votes.

Three candidates vied for the two open seats on the school board for Alternative Organizational Structure 93. Walter Green-Morse and John Bernier were elected with 186 and 157 votes, respectively; Wayne Parlin received 141. The terms are three years.

Voter turnout at 281 was about average, Town Clerk Lynne Barnikow said. Years ago, when Jefferson held open town meetings, often only about 35 to 50 town residents attended.

Jessica Lowell — 621-5632

jlowell@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @JLowellKJ