Salem - At their regular meeting Thursday night, the Board of Finance recalled the sentiments in town this time last year when the school and finance boards were locked in debate over the school budget.

"It was almost like there was lynching ready to (happen) in the parking lot," said board member George Householder.

Board Chairman T.J. Butcher remembered he felt ready to break up a fight during the meeting.

In contrast, this year's final March budget talks were quiet and respectful, with most votes passing unanimously.

The board adopted a final proposal of $15.5 million, with $10.6 million coming from the school budget, $3.6 million coming from the general government budget and $1.2 million coming from the capital plan.

"I think there is a lot of good will in the town now. I think we hit bottom last year this time and I think we are on an upswing," Householder said.

"I think people did a great job," Butcher said at the start of the meeting. Householder noted that very few departments radically increased their budget requests.

The board will bring its proposal to a town meeting at 7 p.m. on April 8 at Salem School.

j.hopper@theday.com

Twitter:@JessHoppa