KINGFIELD — Town meeting voters Saturday approved a spending plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year that is $7,800 higher than selectmen and the Budget Committee recommended.

The $834,887 town budget also is higher than last year’s by about $11,400. Voters approved, among other requests, $8,000 for the Bicentennial Committee, $2,500 for the Flagstaff Area Business Association, $62,790 for operation of the transfer station and $16,000 for Webster Public Library, Kingfield Historical Society, SnoWanderers Snowmobile Club, United Economic Ministry, Safe Voices and the annual Christmas tree lights.

Richard Fotter, president of the Flagstaff Area Business Association, told voters that their support of costs to advertise Kingfield and its businesses includes the Maine High Peaks Scenic Byway, which runs from Kingfield to Coburn Gore.

“Our advertising does work,” he said. “The response to the annual guide has been tremendous.”

He goes to trade shows out of state and has distributed thousands of the guides to businesses and individuals, Canadian visitors, and through information kiosks that serve 10,000 visitors a year. The guide has been expanded from 64 pages to 96, and printing will go from 15,000 copies to 20,000 copies. Although he asked for $6,000, voters amended the amount to $2,500, after a lengthy discussion.

Much of the town’s annual budget is paid through appropriations from the town’s 30-year tax-increment financing account, which shelters a portion of Poland Spring’s bottling plant tax revenue. These funds also support Kingfield Pops, the Kingfield Art Walk and Kingfield Days expenses.

Voters also approved TIF funds for five reserve accounts: Planning, Road Reconstruction, Village Enhancement Sidewalks Reserve Fund, Village Parking and Village Enhancement Streetscapes Reserve Fund. These town committees are preparing for the municipality’s share of costs for the Maine Department of Transportation’s reconstruction project on Route 27 through the downtown. Not all voters agreed with using TIF funds and tax dollars for so many projects and organizations.

“All we talked about today is giving away free money,” said resident Neal Tranten Sr.

Voters also agreed to continue their support of the Safe Sidewalks to School project that would contribute 20 percent of the costs for the Maine Department of Transportation’s plan to rebuild the section of sidewalk from Depot Street to Kingfield Elementary School.

Discussion centered on the costs and benefits of investing in the construction if only a few students walk or ride bikes to school. Resident Cynthia Orcutt said the Village Enhancement Committee had surveyed residents and a majority of the respondents wanted safe routes for the town.

Currently, the Public Works Department does not have a way to plow the proposed sidewalk from Depot Street to Kingfield Elementary School, but voters agreed with Wilson that the safety of pedestrians during spring, summer and fall should outweigh that issue.

In local elections, Brian Hatfield defeated Brad Orbeton for Wilson’s seat. Wilson declined to run for re-election. Paul Orbeton defeated William Swain for a seat on the Regional School Unit 58 board of directors. Orbeton will fill the position left by Sarah Byrne.