WENDELL — Voters that convene at Town Hall on Wednesday night will be asked to pass a Proposition 2½ override to fund town operations.

State law requires voter approval before a municipality can increase its property tax levy more than 2.5%, and the town’s proposed budget of $3.39 million is 8.14% higher than that of the current fiscal year.

“I think the budget might be a little controversial,” Selectboard Chair Laurie DiDonato said.

She explained that “the budget hasn’t really gone up a whole lot” but the Finance Committee has decided not to take money out of the Stabilization Fund, which serves as a “rainy day fund” where municipalities can set aside money for future needs, as it consistently has in recent years.

“We want to keep a minimum in there,” DiDonato said in an interview.

Adopting the Finance Committee’s override would include a $2.53 million school budget that is 0.92% higher than the current fiscal year. The sharpest increase under education would be $46,432 for transportation to Ralph C. Mahar Regional School and its assessment to that school. Transportation costs to Swift River School in New Salem would go up $24,091 to $254,376.

Requests for Proposition 2½ overrides are rare in Wendell, as DiDonato said she does not recall one since having moved to town 24 years ago.

“It’s tough to have a tax rate go up but it’s sort of the reality of ... what we’re dealing with these days” she said.

“With the override, we’re really just looking to level-fund,” said Finance Committee Chair Meagan Sylvia, adding that the goal is always to keep the budget “as lean as possible, while still providing the core services that people count on.”

The largest cash article pertains to borrowing $525,000 for a tanker truck for the Wendell Fire Department.

Article 16 asks residents if they agree to make its elected tree warden into an appointed one. DiDonato explained there have been instances in which some of the tree warden’s responsibilities could have been handled more conveniently by the town’s Highway Supervisor Allen W. Frost. However, elected officials must reside in town, which Frost does not.

Annual Town Meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. The warrant can be found at tinyurl.com/Wendell2025.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.