WOODSTOCK – A higher budget and a vacant selectmen’s seat face voters at the annual town meeting Monday, March 29.

The proposed municipal budget stands at $877,988, which is $122,288 more than last year. When the school and county assessments are added in and all the revenues are subtracted out the bottom line is an estimated $1,143,366, which is about $77,000 more than last year.

The SAD 44 assessment is expected to be $694,000, up $34,051 from last year. The county tax is $66,122, up $4,304 from 2003.

Major accounts that make up 94 percent of the municipal budget are: Roads, $389,050, up $80,500; solid waste, $111,000, up $16,000; general government, $91,450, up $3,250; insurance, $83,500, up $750; protections, $74,956; property maintenance, $37,750; and assessment, $37,000.

There may be controversy concerning a proposed building permit ordinance and amendments to the town’s subdivision and shoreland zoning ordinances. There is also a drive to require a permit for demolition projects regarding buildings larger than 21 feet by 21 feet.

The town is also pushing for residents to make a greater effort to recycle.

There will be a vacancy on the Board of Selectmen because Chairman Percy Monk does not plan to run for another term. No one has announced an intention to seek the position. Nominations are taken from the meeting.

There are also one SAD 44 board member and three library trustees to be elected. Incumbents are expected to run again.

The meeting will be held in the multipurpose room at the Woodstock Elementary School on Rumford Avenue.