SMITHFIELD - Town voters will convene at their annual financial town meeting tonight, May 8, to act on a spending package of $61.5 million for the coming fiscal year that would raise the property tax rate 54 cents per thousand to $13.77.

The budget as proposed by the Town Council, after accounting for outside income such as state aid, would require the raising of $43.6 million in local taxes, an increase of slightly more than 4 percent over the current year's figure.

If approved as submitted, the increase would add $162 per year to the tax on a house assessed at $300,000.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of Smithfield High School, 90 Pleasant View Ave.

It is not necessary to own property to vote; any registered voter who lives in Smithfield may participate.