Grafton — Two incumbent Selectboard members won re-election Tuesday night, and Town Meeting voters narrowly rejected a citizen-led initiative to increase the budget of the Grafton Library, among other items of business.

Library Director Deb Clough petitioned to increase the $14,000 budget by $7,735, which she said would help bring the library into line with comparable institutions in the region by providing more money for internet services, staff compensation, books and other media in the collection. But voters turned down the request on a 159-142 vote, a slim 52.8 percent majority.

The Selectboard and Budget Committee both recommended against the increase, with members including Selectboard Chairman Leon Dugan having said the expense is not justified by usage numbers, and that the increase is too steep for a single year.

Voters also turned down a $2,184, or 5 percent, salary increase for the road agent position, on a vote of 171-125.

Another citizen-led petition that would have formed a study committee to formally consider adding a part-time town administrator to the payroll failed, 199-100.

Currently, the administrative work falls on the shoulders of Selectboard members and Administrative Assistant Sue Smith.

Before the vote, Dugan spoke against the measure; creating the new position would have cost an estimated $30,000 to $40,000, he said.

Dugan won 140 votes, enough to keep his Selectboard seat against challengers Maureen O’Reilly, who got 92 votes; Dennis McKean, who got 42; and Dianne Burrington, who got 21.

Selectwoman Jennie Joyce also maintained her seat over challenger Russell Gover, on a 171-112 vote.

In other contested races for town government, Tax Collector Bonnie Haubrich turned back a challenge from Tabitha Smith on a 241-60 vote, while Rich Angell defeated Brian Fellers, 117-108, for an open seat on the Planning Board.

Voters approved a municipal budget of about $1.05 million, up $57,000 from last year primarily because of increases in the cost of health, disability, liability and unemployment insurance, according to town officials.

On a 176-114 tally, voters also supported a change that, beginning next year, will seat the elected town treasurer for three years, rather than one. Incumbent Treasurer Dorothy Campbell defeated Margaret “Peg” Emslie for the post, on a 225-67 vote.

Results were not immediately available Tuesday night because a tabulation machine malfunctioned, and the winter storm delayed the arrival of a repairman, according to town officials.

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.