It's not every year a town meeting has to wrap up before 11 p.m., lest the authorities are called.

But such was the case Monday, June 15 in Newcastle as voters brushed up against an 11 p.m. deadline at the Lincoln Academy dining commons. Because the commons area, which stood as a fill-in this year for the gym, has a security system that will call the police should any movement be detected after 11 p.m., there was a time limit to town meeting.

And the town almost didn't make it, as discussions broke out regarding the proposed planning and design budget and the amount members of the board of selectmen can be paid.

The fiscal year 2014-15 budget was $1.5 million, meaning the budget voters approved on Monday was a $55,000 increase to $1.56 million.

It wasn't just the municipal budget that saw an uptick — the Lincoln County tax increased by $29,000 to $372,800, the Great Salt Bay budget increased by $63,000 to $1.9 million and the secondary school budget increased the most — going up by $170,000 to a total of $1.23 million.

Voters debated for over an hour about the amount of money to give towards general planning and design, which will eventually be used to construct a new comprehensive plan and land use ordinance.

Last year, $60,000 was put into the account, then sat unused for a year while the town sent out requests for proposals and qualifications. Selectman Ben Frey said the cost could be more or less, but that $120,000 was a solid starting point.

Voters amended the article to add in the additional $30,000 the selectmen wanted to bring the total to $61,000. In the end, voters approved both the amendment and the article.

Before the voting began, Newcastle Board of Selectmen Chairman Brian Foote said farewell to a retiring board member.

“Pat Hudson has been on the selectboard for nine years, and this is Pat's last official meeting,” Foote said. “She has been a wonderful asset to the town.”

Hudson said her replacement, Joel Lind, could bring a different perspective to the board.

“I feel quite comfortable with Joel Lind stepping into my place,” she said. “He's a young man, and has good ideas and is a worker. (When I) look back at what we've done over years, I'm happy that we just kept it moving forward and moving along.”

Finding new members for the board of selectmen has been a challenge in recent years, Frey said. That was why the selectmen initially asked for a pay raise from $7,500 to $10,000 total for the entire board.

“It's been difficult to find people; I went to 25-30 people and the response I got was laughter,” he said. “The other half of the people said 'You couldn't pay me enough.' I would like to make amendment, but I would like this conversation to be in the collective. Serving as a selectman is fun — you'll like it a lot.”

Foote said the extra money would have been used to try and lure some people into putting their hats in the ring.

“It's not what it was 15-20 years ago where you're the most hated man in town,” he said. “The whole reason (for the extra money) is to start this conversation. None of us do it for the money.”

The bulk of Newcastle's increase will be in the form of a newly-hired deputy to serve in the town offices. Foote said changes to the staffing at the town office, along with position changes, have left the office understaffed. Another increase that was approved was a 2.5 percent pay increase for employees.

Voters also approved their end of a new interlocal agreement with Damariscotta. Last week during its town meeting, Damariscotta voters approved an amended ordinance that will allow the two towns to enter into an interlocal agreement where shellfish, harbor and public works departments are involved. Newcastle will handle the harbor matters moving forward, while Damariscotta will handle the shellfish ordinances.