HARTFORD – Voters pushed the budget nearly $2,000 over the limit Thursday night at the annual town meeting by putting in requested amounts from special services.

The town had no recommendations on most of the special services requests, but voters chose to give the money.

The Recreation Committee was commended for offering to lower its request by $500. Western Maine Transportation also requested less than it had originally. It was noted that town officials had accepted no raises this year. The Cemetery Committee also asked for half of what it needed.

The original budget was $1.36 million and it was surpassed by about $2,000 by voter approval. The voters took a written ballot to allow the town to go over the amount set by the state’s tax-reform law. The mill rate will have to be revised, but it was lower than last year by 10 cents per $1,000 of valuation.

Five ordinances flew by the voters will little or no discussion. Amendments to the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance, Flood Plain Ordinance, Road Committee Ordinance and Budget Committee Ordinance were all approved. The Comprehensive Plan Committee Ordinance was enacted.

The Interlocal Agreement on the management of Lake Anasagunticook dam after it is built, was enacted after some discussion. Board of Selectman Chairman Jack Plumley clarified the fact that the agreement did not say that Hartford was part owner of the dam. Canton owns the dam.

The most discussion of the evening centered on the 20 percent increase in spending for winter roads.

Plumley said the contractor had been using two trucks, but he was asked to put on another truck because of the heavy snow last winter. This worked better, according to Plumley and he has requested that three trucks be on the road at all times. Plumley said the state recommends one truck for every 10 miles of roads. Hartford has over 40 miles of roads, so the state recommendation would be four trucks.

Plumley answered questions on when the roads should be plowed with the explanation that when snow levels reached 1 to 2 inches, the clearing should begin.

Daryl Boness said there had been complaints in a heavy-snow winter with only two trucks plowing. Plumley said he compared costs with other towns and Sumner pays $2,800 a mile and Hartford is paying $2,500 a mile.

Arlene Nason was thanked for her work on the Hartford Newsletter.

The town authorized the Board of Selectman chairman to allow the remaining recycling bins to be offered for sale during Heritage Days on Saturday, June 13.