OAKLAND -- Residents today will vote on a $4.16 million budget, an increase of 5.9 percent over last year's.

The town meeting will open at 7:30 p.m. today at the Performing Arts Center at Messalonskee High School.

The increase, driven partially by increases in labor and energy costs, shouldn't affect local property taxes, according to Oakland Town Manager Steve Dyer.

"I think we're in great shape," he said. "I don't anticipate a lot of controversy because there's not a lot on the warrant."

Dyer said some of the increased costs have been offset by a jump in the amount taken in from excise taxes.

One of the more expensive items in the budget is a request to set aside $75,000 for the purchase of a dump truck to be used by Public Works. The purchase would be made next year, Dyer said. The current vehicle is about 10 years old.

A similar, $23,000 request will go before voters to pay for next year's purchase of a cruiser for the Oakland Police Department. Dyer said the town purchases a new cruiser each year. The cruiser to be replaced has about 125,000 miles on it.

The town also will ask voters to approve setting aside $80,000 for the purchase of a vehicle for the Oakland Fire Department.

Another $50,000 would be set aside, if voters approve, to pay for the purchase of a vehicle to plow the city sidewalks in the winter. The current vehicle is 10 years old.

Annual paving projects totaling 1.8 miles would cost $110,000.

Other resurfacing projects on Summer Street, Middle Road and other streets would cost a total of about $202,000.

The town also will ask voters to approve the purchase of one of two wind turbines that would power the town's municipal buildings. One turbine would stand 30 feet tall and would cost almost $17,000.

The other turbine would stand 50 feet tall and would cost $30,000. The smaller, less expensive turbine would produce considerably less power and would take 18 years to save enough to pay for its cost. The larger turbine would pay for itself in 12 years, Dyer said.

Joel Elliott -- 861-9252

jelliott@centralmaine.com