The voters of Marion weighed their financial needs versus their wants during their annual May Town Meeting, which despite some concerns over costs, saw the passing of all budget-related articles.

The more contentious discussions came early on Monday, May 21 with article 2, which sought approval of the proposed overall town budget of $18,797,635.

Some residents raised concerns with the need for an additional $700,000 in the budget.

“I can’t believe you cannot find ways not to raise it,” said resident Dr. Eric Radin. “I know that other municipalities have been able to lower or level-fund their budgets and I don’t know why we can’t do the same.”

The 2013 budget includes an increase of four percent over the current year’s budget to account for contractual obligations, a $100,000 rise in pension costs for retired town employees and for the maintenance of town facilities.

Besides the 2013 budget, several other articles on the Town Warrant raised similar financial concerns.

With article 10 the town approved the transfer of $20,900 from free cash to be used by the police department to purchase a cruiser.

Police Chief Lincoln Miller said that the cruiser would be replacing a detective’s cruiser that is in need of extensive repairs.

“Traditionally the cruiser is a line item in the budget every year,” Miller said. “Every three years or so we ask for additional replacement vehicles. We are asking for replacement vehicles and not adding any new vehicles to the fleet.”

Another financial concern came with article 11, which sought approval for the transfer of $50,000 from free cash to be used by Town Administrator Paul Dawson to replace the telephone system in the Town House.

Resident Tom Maguaran said he was concerned that the costs for both the cruiser and for the telephone system were not included as line items in the 2013 budget, but rather as separate articles to be taken from free cash.

“Put something like this in a line item but don’t come to Town Meeting and ask us to vote on this,” Maguaran said. “It’s inappropriate.”

Finance Committee Chair Alan Minard said the town generates $1,000,000 in free cash every year, and never spends more than 40 percent of that amount.

Selectmen Chair John Henry supported both of the proposals.

Henry said the telephone system in the Town House has not been working for some time now and needed to be replaced.

“I think it would be impudent to run the wheels off the cruiser and to run the telephone system into the ground,” Henry said. “It’s very simple to replace this system and it’s portable so we can move it if we move from the Town House to another building.”

The town approved the articles in a close vote.