PHILLIPS — Voters at the town meeting Tuesday at the Phillips Area Community Center elected municipal officers and approved a budget of $1.28 million. 

That amount is more than last year’s budget by less than 3 percent.

Moderator Mike Ellis guided voters through the 44-article warrant.

Residents elected David Vincent to the Board of Selectmen, defeating incumbent Andrew Phillips by a vote of 39-32.

Regional School Unit 58 Director Amy Alexcovich defeated challenger Sharon Dudley in a vote of 41-21 for a three-year seat on the school board. Dudley then defeated Karen Campbell in a vote of 28-25 for a two-year seat vacated by John Foss. 

Evelyn Wilbur was unanimously re-elected to serve as town clerk.

Interim Town Manager Maureen Haley explained the need for a $30,000 contingency fund, which allows unassigned funds to be used for unexpected expenditures.

Road Commissioner Ward Bredeau and Budget Committee member Tim Abbott explained to voters a lease/purchase agreement option for an excavator.

In the past, the town has spent about $13,500 to rent one for three months each summer. Under a 10-year lease/purchase agreement, the town will have an excavator year-round for $3,000 more. The excavator should last at least 25 years with care and appropriate use, they explained.

Resident Donna Chamberlain asked voters to amend an article to purchase and install a new heating system in the town garage. She asked that selectmen hire a licensed contractor, because the town’s community center had difficulties with a corn-fired boiler in past years.

Selectman Lincoln Haines assured that any contractor hired to work for the town had to be licensed and insured.

The voters approved taking $50,000 from unassigned funds to lower the tax burden.

Resident John Foss asked for the current surplus fund balance.

“The town had $617,000 last year, and the auditor said we will have approximately the same amount this year,” Haley said.

Haley said she will close the books for the fiscal year and have final figures after June 30. The town departments must have all bills paid, including any recent costs from the sale of foreclosed real estate.

Voters debated donating money to organizations that are not based within the town. The American Red Cross also asks for money from the Franklin County budget, according to Tim Abbot.

“That’s double-dipping,” he said.

Voters approved a final budget of $1.28 million, which included all article amounts as written, except for the $500 requested by the American Red Cross and $514 requested by Lifeflight.