DIXFIELD – Selectmen on Monday unanimously agreed to grant a license for consumption of beer and wine at Ellis’ Variety on Weld Street.

The convenience store-restaurant is almost across from Dirigo High School, prompting some concern from the board.

“It’s so close to the high school,” Selectman Norine Clarke said.

Owner Gene Ellis said he has no intention of having a bar.

“Some people want to have a beer with their pizza,” he said.

He said his business has sold beer for takeout for 23 years.

Selectman James Desjardins said he doesn’t believe serving beer at the business will have any affect on the school.

“Kids are more likely to steal it from the coolers,” he said.

No hard liquor will be served.

The board also approved a proposed police budget of $298,778, up about $8,000 from last year. Police officers, as well as all municipal employees, are not receiving a salary increase this year.

Town Manager Eugene Skibitsky said the slight increase is due to higher workers compensation premiums and the town’s new membership in the unemployment program under the Maine Municipal Association.

The executive department proposed budget of $277,590, which includes the town manager and the office employees, was also approved. It is up about $5,000 from 2008-09, also because of membership in the MMA program.

Skibitsky said the town’s Finance Committee will begin its deliberations on department budget proposals at 7 p.m. April 8, then again on April 15. Selectmen will wrap up their budget work April 21 when they will review budgets for public works and grounds.

Voters will have a chance to approve either the selectmen’s or the Finance Committee’s recommended figure for each department at town meeting May 28.