A $9.1 million proposed budget was approved by selectmen in Monmouth, along with the town meeting warrant that goes to voters June 9.

Douglas Ludewig, chairman of the selectmen, said going into this budget process selectmen sought to minimize budget increases and opted not to include any new major capital improvement projects as part of that effort to avoid a large tax increase.

Officials were aware that many residents may still be wary of any tax increases, he said, after last fall when a townwide property revaluation dramatically increased property values for some owners and therefore their tax bills.

“We’re just trying to keep the increase as low as possible,” Ludewig said. “People were shocked by the increase in the value of their property. So (with this budget) we’re trying to not surprise anybody with any big increase.”

Selectmen approved the proposed spending, 2.1% increase over the current year, as part of the overall town meeting warrant, Wednesday.

While it was a unanimous vote, Selectman Kent Ackley said residents and selectmen disagreed on whether and how to help fund the ongoing restoration of the 1856 Monmouth Academy , a former school building.

“It’s a longstanding project that has been a bone of contention,” Ackley said Friday. “A number of folks around town want to see it restored, because they went to school in that building, and a number of folks are skeptical about the price tag for getting that done. It’s structurally sound, and it’s solid, but it needs to be finished inside.”

The proposal on the town meeting warrant asks voters to use $187,500 as matching funds for up to $750,000 in federal or state grants for the completion of the project. If such grant funding is not awarded, the funds would go into the town’s unassigned fund balance.

Ackley said the plan is once that building is deemed fit for occupancy, the town would sell another property, the recreation building at 117 Academy Road, to replace the town funds which would be spent to match the grants.

A citizen committee has been working on restoring the old school building for several years.

Town Manager Justin Poirier couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday or Friday. Selectmen referred questions about budget details, and the projected tax impact, to him.

Monmouth’s share of the Regional School Unit 2 school budget, just over $7 million, is a 3.8% increase, according to school district officials.

Residents of Dresden, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Monmouth will have an opportunity to vote on the school budget twice: first at a May 20 budget meeting at Monmouth Academy, where residents can change or approve articles, and then at a June 9 referendum.

The town’s final tax rate, which includes an assessment for Kennebec County government, won’t be determined until the school district budget is final.