GRANTHAM — Voters in Grantham will be asked next month to approve a municipal budget increase and a decrease in school spending, and to decide a contested race for School Board.

The Selectboard is requesting a $1.37 million general budget for the 2021 fiscal year, a $29,806, or roughly 2.2%, increase over current spending.

Officials also are proposing an $854,323 public safety budget, an $11,072 increase; and $847,900 public works budget, which is $53,557 higher than the current year.

Grantham officials estimate the combined budgets would result in a 27-cent per $1,000 of valuation increase in the municipal tax rate, or an additional $68 for a home valued at $250,000.

Grantham Town Administrator Melissa White said the spending plan includes a 3% salary increase for town employees but no new staff positions.

She added the town did see a “slight,” or about $12,000, decrease in its insurance costs by shifting plan options.

Other warrant articles ask voters to approve $102,300 to reinstate a fifth full-time police position, and $50,000 for a fire department “utility task vehicle” capable of responding to incidents in difficult terrain.

White said the town also is requesting $10,000 for a new fire department washing machine and extractor. The current household model in use is at least 15 years old and doesn’t properly remove carcinogens from firefighting gear, she said.

Meanwhile, the School Board is proposing a $9.96 million budget for the 2020-21 school year.

That amounts to a $45,475, or 0.4%, decrease from the district’s current spending plan.

Grantham Superintendent Sydney Leggett said the spending plan accounts for a drop in tuitioned students attending Lebanon Middle School.

The spending plan also includes raises as part of a previously-approved collective bargaining agreement with educators, and maintains existing staffing levels, she said.

If the proposed budget is approved, the tax rate is expected to increase 26 cents, Leggett said. That amounts to an additional $65 for a home valued at $250,000.

The School District warrant also requests $50,000 to be placed in a maintenance trust fund, which is used to maintain the elementary school. If approved, that article would increase the tax rate by 10 cents, or $25 on a $250,000 home.

On the ballot, two people are running for a three-year seat on the School Board.

School Board Chairwoman Brittany Pye is being challenged by Tanya McIntire, a 14-year resident who unsuccessfully petitioned the school district and state two years ago to have taxpayer dollars fund the cost of her son’s private school tuition. She also ran, and lost, for a School Board seat last year.

Grantham’s School District meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, in the Grantham Village School Gymnasium. Town Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Town Hall. Ballot voting for school and town candidates will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m on Tuesday, March 10, at Town Hall.

Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.