PLAINFIELD — Voters will be asked to approve a $3.54 million budget and other articles when Town Meeting convenes Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Dennis A. Thatcher Public Safety Complex. Polls for the annual town election, which features a contested race for a seat on the Select Board, are open from noon to 6.

Proposed municipal spending is up by 2.3% at $3,540,081, with $2,766,909 needing to be raised by taxation. Some budget categories have increased steeply, particularly education, which is up by $115,471, or 9.2%, including a 38.5% increase in vocational tuition.

General government is rising by $30,445, or 6.7%, almost half of which is due to a jump in long-term interest and insurance and bonds.

Requested highway funding is up by 1% at $544,272, while public safety reflects a 6% increase at $310,196. Employee benefits are also rising sharply, by almost 9%.

Bringing the total down is a drop in special articles, with a total of $68,870 requested for fire truck and police cruiser stabilization, and paving of the fire department parking lot.

Additional amounts to be raised add $11,474 to the budget total.

Among the articles on the Town Meeting warrant is a proposal to amend the Mohawk Trail Regional School District agreement. The change in the assessment formula is intended to create a more equitable way for each town to pay for its out-of-district costs, according to Finance Committee member Robert Baker.

Six of the eight district towns have approved the amendment, which requires unanimous approval before it takes effect. Plainfield and Heath are expected to vote on the question this year.

The complex proposal, Article 4 on Plainfield’s warrant, covers 20 pages. Two other articles concerning reallocation of funds are also related to the school district.

Other warrant articles include a request for the transfer of $18,870 from the stabilization fund to pay for repaving the public safety complex parking lot, and the transfer of $45,000 from free cash to the fire truck stabilization account.

Police Chief Justin Litchfield is proposing that the town establish a stabilization account to pay for a new police cruiser.

And voters will be asked to reduce the tax rate by applying $80,000 from free cash to reduce budget expenses.

Election ballot

There are two contested elections on the ballot. On the Select Board, Ed Morann and Polly Ryan are both seeking the seat being vacated by Hilary Weeks.

Morann, 82, is a lifelong resident who has been active in town affairs for more than 50 years. He served on the Select Board in the 1970s and ‘90s, spent 50 years as a member of the Police Department, 31 of them as chief, and was on the Fire Department for 55 years before being forced to retire.

He is one of the elected constables in town, and remains active in his business, Ed’s Auto Repair. He estimates he has served on every town board over the years.

He sees Plainfield undergoing changes, with people moving in who don’t know how a small town runs.

“I have the knowledge to lead the town through the changes,” he said.

Messages left for Ryan were not returned.

Additionally, Timothy Crowningshield and Erik Burcroff are both seeking the one-year post of tree warden, which is being vacated by Robert Mellstrom.

Newcomer Steve Nartowicz has filed for a three-year seat on the Board of Health, with incumbent David Crowell not seeking reelection.

Incumbents are up for reelection to the remaining elected positions.

James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com.