STRONG — Taxpayers budgeted more money than selectmen and the Budget Committee requested, approving 61 articles and a $608,402 budget in three hours.

Selectmen and the Budget Committee requested $593,853 for the coming year’s budget, but voters raised $561,450, plus $46,952 from accounts; $250,000 will be taken from surplus funds to reduce the tax commitment.

One speaker noted that those who do not pay their taxes place the burden on those who do. Selectmen can place liens on real estate and must take property owners to court to collect personal property taxes.

“We do need to push to find a way to collect those taxes,” Selectman Rupert Pratt said.

As of Dec. 31, 2010, $2,333 in personal property taxes and $127,108 in real estate taxes were unpaid, but that amount had been reduced by those who paid in January and February. Another $33,000 remains unpaid from 2005 through 2008. Selectmen send letters to those who owe personal property taxes, but they have little recourse in collecting the money.

Resident Loretta Deming suggested those who paid their taxes within 30 days after bills were mailed should not receive a 2 percent discount. Pratt noted the incentive generates money to run the town without borrowing and paying interest. The discount also helps those who are on tight budgets.

“My mother is on a fixed income, and she saves all year to be able to pay her taxes and get that 2 percent discount,” resident June Flagg said.

One contentious article was based on last year’s unanticipated legal expenses, including those from a tax-abatement lawsuit. Selectmen had to conduct two special town meetings to raise an extra $7,500 beyond the $2,000 they have raised each year.

Rather than appropriating the requested $25,000, Selectman-elect James Burrill suggested reducing the request to $10,000. The amendment was approved by a secret ballot and the article passed.

Voters approved spending $25,000 to install a pellet boiler to heat the Town Office. They also approved a Property Assessed Clean Energy ordinance, which allows homeowners to borrow low-interest money from Efficiency Maine to make energy-efficiency improvements to their property.

They also approved spending $3,600 in matching funds if selectmen receive a grant for energy improvements to municipal buildings.