EXETER – Local officials have presented a budget that will enable the town to keep the mill rate at $13.30 per $1,000 of property valuation.

That budget will be up for adoption at the annual town meeting at 7 p .m. Monday, March 31, at the elementary school.

“We are working hard to try to hold the line,” Town Manager Peter Wintle said Wednesday. That is being done even though the cost of operating expenses continues to rise, he said.

The proposed 2009 budget that includes municipal, county, and school costs, is $723,785. Last year, voters adopted a $676,527 budget.

Wintle said the proposed budget includes $90,000 for paving.

Residents will act on three regional grant applications for housing assistance, energy conservation, and for a study for the reuse of local elementary schools that will be closed when the new SAD 46 pre-kindergarten-through- grade eight school is opened.

Because the board of selectmen will be expanded to five positions this year, residents will elect someone to fill a three year term, another to fill a two year term and a third for a one year term.