LIVERMORE – Residents voted 28-3 by secret ballot to increase the tax levy limit of $339,312 by nearly $26,158 to cover town expenses Thursday during the annual town meeting.

It was the first time in five years the town had to exceed the state recommended growth factor to meet expenses.

The spending plan for municipal government operating expenses was proposed at $1.1 million and if all articles passed, they would need the additional money to cover costs.

At 8:30 p.m. voters had approved just over half of the 50-plus articles and continued to act on town business.

Attempts to amend a couple of articles failed including one that would have set a 20 percent cap on how much each department could go over budget before a special town meeting would have to be called.

The original article was approved authorizing selectpersons to borrow or appropriate from undesignated surplus as they deem advisable to meet unanticipated expenses and emergencies that occur during 2008-09, or act on anything in relation to it.

This year, the highway department budget went $50,775 over what was budgeted due to severe winter weather.

Voters also agreed to buy a new 26,000-pound gross vehicle weight plow/dump truck for the highway department and to appropriate up to $85,500 for it. They also approved borrowing the money over five years.