More than 260 voters turned out to decide on projects amounting to a 10.7 percent tax increase at the town’s second deliberative session Saturday, March 15.

Of items narrowly defeated by residents was a 3 percent pay increase to department heads that failed by three votes. Although the increase would have only cost $30,950 for 12 employees, Budget Committee member Stephen Campbell pushed to defeat the raise since their immediate subordinates in the Salem Professional Association union were refused a raise in the ballot election March 11.

Also, since a spike in this year’s snowfall has caused a $241,000 shortfall for 2008, taxpayers agreed to expand the winter snow removal by $400,000 to $800,000.

Repairs costing $113,400 were passed to fix the gate house at Wheeler Dam.

The Haverhill Road Bridge reconstruction project easily passed at a cost of $424,000, nearly two years after the project was suggested following the 2006 Mother’s Day flood.

Also passed relating to flooding concerns was a $200,000 portion of a culvert and drainage study to begin planning for flood prevention.

This is the first of a three-part hydrology study meant to assist the town in assessing future needs to prevent flooding and to qualify the town to apply for further FEMA aid to maintain waterways.

The study was originally part of a $3.8 million bond article proposed in 2007 that voters failed to support. The article sought funds to fix four bridges while studying water passing in and out of town in rivers and streams.

The biggest money item approved was a $2.1 million road project to rebuild and repave Shore Drive.

Articles to draw up a sewer master plan for $60,000 and a $100,000 initiative for technology improvements for town departments were voted down.

Citizen petitions to repair and repave Ball Avenue and correct a culvert opening at Pelham Road and Commercial Drive were struck down by residents at the meeting.

A petitioned article to ask the town to support the state in looking at other tax methods aside from property taxes was tabled indefinitely.