HOWLAND – Contrasting past years, the larger than normal crowd of residents who gathered Monday night voted to add a total of $68,800 to the municipal budget proposal.

More than 50 people turned out for the annual budget meeting. At the meeting, residents have an opportunity to vote on the selectmen’s recommendations for budget articles, which then will be considered at the annual town meeting on March 11.

A total of $2,200 was added to the Fire Department accounts. Residents told selectmen they wanted to increase the pay rates of the town’s volunteer firefighters, from $10 an hour to $12.

Residents also approved increasing the fire chief’s pay from $2,000 a year to $2,500 and approved paying the assistant fire chief $500 a year and $400 a year for the fire training officer. The assistant chief and fire training officer have been performing their duties without the annual stipend. Several people said firefighters should be commended for the job they do. “We ought to give them what they ask for,” said Bonnie Lovett, a resident.

At the recommendation of Town Manager Glenna Armour, voters approved adding $22,000 to the highway department budget, which essentially voids out an earlier vote by selectmen to cut one position from the three-member highway crew. The vote of approval was followed by applause and cheering.

Selectmen voted to cut the position a few weeks ago. Recent legal advise given to Armour by the Maine Municipal Association revealed the selectmen did not have the legal authority to do so under the town manager form of government. Under that form of government, the town manager has the responsibility of hiring and firing personnel.

Residents added $1,600 to the general government account so town office employees would not have to pay a 14 percent increase in health care costs.

The town is proposing a 5 percent pay increase for town employees, but some residents said the 14 percent increase in health care costs would mean employees would actually receive a pay cut. Several residents said the only benefit town employees receive is health care. Selectman Frank Kirsch said employees have no retirement plan with the town. “When you leave here, it’s good-bye,” he said.

Residents added $5,000 for new cemetery roads and added $38,000 for the purchase of a one-ton truck with a winch and plow, which will be used by the water and sewer departments.

The total municipal budget proposal of $525,456 represents an increase of $89,756 compared with last year, or 20.6 percent.

Preliminary figures indicate the amount proposed from local taxes is $296,850. It represents an increase of $18,050, or 6.4 percent compared with last year.