Across the board at town meetings Saturday, residents grappled with budget increases attributed to rising fuel costs and additional snow removal.

Residents in Nobleboro feel the pinch, too. About 75 voters approved an estimated $654,633 municipal budget, which increased about $30,000 over last year.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Richard Spear said the increase reflects a rise in fuel costs and operating expenses for the municipal building. The snow removal contract has also expired and the town needs to put the job out to bid, which factors into the increase, he said.

Voters approved each of the 42 articles as they were written in just over two hours. Some of the budget items approved included $140,000 for road repair and paving and $82,000 for the fire department. Residents also voted to raise $15,497 for social service agencies and charitable organizations.

Voters also approved an estimated $3 million school budget. Spear said residents expressed disappointment over the school budget.

“This week, the School Committee found out that the state cut our state subsidy by $250,000 to accommodate Gov. John Baldacci’s proposed budget cuts. Before town meeting, the school committee had to cut $70,000 out of the budget to absorb some of the cost,” he said.

In elections Friday, Henry Simmons unseated Selectman Al Jones by a vote of 64 to 49.

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