Mascoma towns split over budget, which ultimately passed

WEST CANAAN — Mascoma Valley Regional School District voters on Tuesday approved a 4.4% budget increase and accepted a three-year contract with the district’s teachers.

The district’s $28.9 million budget passed, 645-497, according to preliminary results. The spending plan amounts to $1.2 million increase over the current year’s.

Three Mascoma’s five towns — Enfield, Canaan and Orange — supported the spending plan, which lost by a 49-39 vote in Dorchester and 131-97 vote in Grafton.

Voters also approved a new contract with the Mascoma Valley Regional Education Association, 692-524.

Again, both Dorchester and Grafton voted against the agreement, which is expected to increase district spending by about $315,462 next year.

There were no contested races for the School Board.