REHOBOTH - Voters at Monday's special town meeting will decide several items, including an amended fiscal year 2010 budget, a meals tax, a form of an override of the state's Proposition 2 1/2 tax-limiting law, a debt exclusion, for a solar energy project, funding for new police cars and a new wind energy bylaw.

Town meeting will start at 7:30 p.m. at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School.

The finance committee is recommending about $130,000 in adjustments to the budget. That proposal includes a change in police compensation because the town did not receive federal stimulus money it had applied for. Another grant is still pending.

Finance committee Chairwoman Sue Pimental said school assessment reductions and other funds will help offset the police increase and state aid reductions.

But she also says the adjustments are only a "Band-aid fix" because the town is looking at a projected $400,000 shortfall for next year. One item that could boost town revenue next year, the meals tax, is also on the town meeting agenda.

The state is allowing towns to collect a tax of 0.75 percent, which would amount to an increase of 75 cents on a $100 dinner tab. The Department of Revenue estimates that Rehoboth could receive as much as $46,000 annually from the tax.

Voters also are being asked to approve a temporary tax increase, or debt exclusion, to pay for a solar energy project that could save the town money in electricity costs.

The article seeks funding of up to $142,000 for installation of a solar photovoltaic system on the highway department building. The cost to the average taxpayer is expected to be approximately $27 and could be less if rebate and federal stimulus money comes through.

Another article at town meeting involves the purchase of two new police cruisers. The two vehicles will be leased at a cost of about $12,000 per year per vehicle. The vehicles are needed to replace two aging police cars with high mileage.

"The fleet is in dire need of new vehicles. Thus far, we have expended over 50 percent of the maintenance budget in the first three months," Selectman Kevin McBride said.

The wind turbine bylaw, postponed from April town meeting, will provide standards in case a company or homeowner puts up a power-generating windmill, town officials said.

Laura Calverley covers Rehoboth for The Sun Chronicle. She can be reached at lcalverley@aol.com.