EASTON — At a special town meeting Monday, Easton voters approved a $1,742,172.29 school budget, decreased $6,101.36 from last year and reflecting a loss of $61,948.84 in state subsidies for 1991-92.

While the actual increase for schools in the town’s fiscal year will be $31,507.17 because of the difference in state and town fiscal years, the tax rate will remain at 23 mills. The town’s fiscal year is from Feb. 15 to Feb. 14. The school operates on the state’s fiscal year from July 1 to June 30.

“We are doing our best to find as many creative ways to cut dollars as we can,” said William P. Braun, superintendent.

Most of the budget reductions were in capital outlay accounts reduced from $38,000 last year to $6,000. Financing for work on buildings and grounds was reduced by 13 percent.

The largest increase in spending was the replacement of a 1976 school bus, which cost $55,000. The surplus account, which usually held $35,000 to $45,000, was increased to $75,000.

Cooperative ventures with the town for purchases of fuel, telephones and insurance saved about $15,000, Braun said.

In other business, the town enacted an ordinance that established the Easton Planning Board. Members will be appointed at the next selectmen’s meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, July 1.

Selectmen authorized submission of a Community Development Block Grant fund application for a townwide housing rehabilitation. Authorization was given to continue development of the downtown area with $45,000 in Housing and Urban Development funds to purchase land and buildings identified in town maps as Map 18, lots 44, 45 and 49.