ROME -- Voters debated several money articles but kept proposed spending nearly intact during a three-hour town meeting Saturday.

Among the issues that got an airing were two articles representing the greatest amount of expenditures, a total of more than $2 million for School Administration District 47. The district, which also serves Belgrade, Oakland and Sidney, is estimating a cost increase of nearly $8 million for 2008-09. Several residents opposed an article near the end of the warrant raising nearly $398,000 beyond the state property tax limit, suggesting it be covered through cuts across the board.

But that amount was eventually raised by hand vote. First Selectman Robert Moreau said the town had little choice in the face of the rise in such fixed expenses as fuel, electricity, education, and the Kennebec County tax. Similar to other towns, significant money was raised to maintain roads. It included $58,000 for paving and reconstruction, $60,000 for plowing and sanding, $40,000 for buying sand and salt, and $19,000 for repair of roads and bridges. Among other larger appropriations were $29,500 for maintaining the Rome Community Center, $46,000 for salaries, and $40,000 for the fire department. All told, spending went up about 10 percent, according to officials. In contested elections earlier in the day, Moreau beat challenger Terri Lamontagne for the first selectman's seat, 98-70. Kelly Archer bested Richard Tracy for second selectman, 112-52. In a contest for road commissioner, Larry DiPietro Jr. toppled incumbent Leslie Witham, 103-68.