Residents whittled about $13,000 in proposed charitable contributions from the budget at Saturday's town meeting, but it wasn't enough by the state government's standards.

In the end, they settled on a $1.3 million budget that was about $28,000 over the state's spending cap. Voters overwhelmingly decided to go over the cap and thus increase the property tax limit.

Selectmen said the town went over the cap for the first time because the state reduced its revenue-sharing contribution by about $30,000. If they hadn't approved exceeding the cap, residents would have been required to hold another town meeting to decide what to cut from the budget.

The meeting, held at James Bean School, started at 10 a.m., included a 45-minute lunch break and ended just before 4 p.m. About 145 people attended, and 155 voted at the polls in Friday's election.

In the only contested election race Friday, newcomer Noel "Red" LaLiberte defeated incumbent Raymond Clement for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen.

During the meeting, hours of debate and several competing motions centered on proposals to buy new trucks and repair the town garage.

Residents ultimately accepted the selectmen's recommendation to pay $25,000 for new foam insulation in the garage to reduce or eliminate the building's heat loss. Road Commissioner Dale Niles offered a competing amendment to pay $56,000 for a new roof and insulation, but that motion failed.

Residents and officials also sparred about a proposed new $350,000 pumper truck for the Fire Department, replacing a 1981 model. Fire Capt. Kevin Bacon said a new pumper is needed to fight modern fires and ensure responders' safety.