THETFORD — Residents will be asked to approve a nearly 4% operating town budget increase and decide three contested Selectboard races during Town Meeting.

The Selectboard is proposing a roughly $1 million budget for 2020, about $41,000 more than the current spending plan.

The money is needed for several pay raises, officials wrote in the Town Report. This will be the Thetford’s first full year with a town manager and employees, such as the current project manager and recreation director, will see expanded roles.

Meanwhile, the town’s Public Works Department is requesting a more than $1 million budget, an increase of about 5.3%.

Officials estimate property taxes would increase 6% if all articles on the town warning are approved. That amounts to an additional $116 for a property valued at $250,000.

Other warning articles request $199,187 for the Thetford Volunteer Fire Department, $113,872 for Upper Valley Ambulance, $107,585 for the Thetford Library Federation, and nearly $300,000 for several capital reserve funds.

Voters will decide three contested races for Selectboard.

Selectboard Interim Chairman Nick Clark and former Selectboard member Bill Huff are both running for a two-year seat on the five-member group.

Retired EMT David Goodrich and Thetford Library Trustee Steven Tofel are running for an open three-year seat, and former Selectboard member John Bacon and Energy Committee member Mary Bryant are seeking a one-year seat.

Meanwhile, Sharon Harkay is running unopposed for a one-year term on the board.

Former Selectboard Chairman Stuart Rogers resigned in late December, Selectman Mike Pomeroy died last month. and Selectman Doug Stone isn’t running again.

On the school ballot, residents will be asked to approve an $8.9 million budget for the 2020-2021 school year, with estimated spending per equalized pupil of $19,314, a 2.4% increase.

Overall, the school budget would increase by $258,000, and school officials say taxes would increase slightly by 0.3%, or an additional $16 on a $250,000 home.

There are no contested School District races.

Thetford’s Town Meeting and annual School meeting will take place starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 29 at Thetford Elementary School. On Tuesday, March 3, voters will elect town and school officers and decide on the School District budget by ballot. Polls that day will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Thetford Town Hall.

Correction

This story has been updated to reflect that proposed school spending would increase by $258,000, to $8.9 million. A prior version of this story gave an incorrect figure.