In Scarborough, residents will return to the polls to vote on a school budget $100,000 higher than the one rejected May 11.

In Cape Elizabeth, the school budget is also on the ballot, though not drawing nearly as much interest as the vote on charging parking fees at Fort Williams Park, the second such vote in 31?2 years.

That is what’s at stake in those communities at the polls on Tuesday, June 8.

The fee system issue is not a new one for Fort Williams, a town-owned park that is home to the historic Portland Head Light and draws an estimated 250,000 visitors a year. In November 2006, residents voted down a similar proposal, 62 percent to 38 percent.

“This is the third time this has come up in the nine years that I’ve lived in Cape Elizabeth,” said resident Jan Staples, who is opposed to a fee system.

But, some councilors argued during hearings on the proposal that the economic downturn makes it difficult to justify spending taxpayer funds maintaining the park, when the money could be used on schools and town services.

“I think the issue is ripe again, and the issue has changed,” Councilor David Sherman said at a workshop in January.

Under the proposal, people parking at Fort Williams to take in the sights would pay a $5 fee at a nearby kiosk. Annual passes could be purchased by residents for $10 and non-residents for $20. People coming to the park by foot or bike, or attending a sporting event at the ball field, would be exempt.

The funds would likely cover the $250,000 annually the town spends on maintaining and staffing Fort Williams park, plus provide money for looming capital needs. While the annual cost continues to grow, the park also has long-term capital needs that are too large to be funded through charitable contributions and taxes, councilors said in support of the fee system. The town’s website lists among the areas of concern the upkeep and preservation of Meadow and Chapel roads, Goddard Mansion, Battery Keyes, Battery Knoll and the Portland Head Light grounds.

But fee-system opponents said revenue could be raised in other ways. Fort Williams Park is Cape Elizabeth’s gift to share with residents and visitors alike, they said, and a fee system would undermine that generosity.

Instead, the town should pursue ideas for the park such as an ice cream stand, a lobster shack, a farmers market or an area for special events to raise money instead of a fee system.

According to the town website, these ideas could take years to implement and face issues related to logistics and zoning.

But, Staples said, the fee system is just the easiest, not the only, option for the park, and its acceptance would end the push for more creative ideas that could keep the park free.

“I think it would short circuit the other, better ideas that would be more in keeping with the park’s atmosphere,” she said. “I think we need to move from this tunnel vision to more of the generosity I know the community has.”

Also on June 8, Cape Elizabeth residents will vote on a proposed school budget of nearly $20.7 million, which is $672,000, or 3.4 percent, higher than the current year’s budget. The budget does not include cuts to teaching positions.

The school budget is part of a $31.4 million town budget that would add 32 cents to the tax rate of $17.54 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

In Scarborough, the school budget is on the ballot because residents rejected a $34.9 million proposal by just 10 votes, 493-483, on May 11.

So residents return to the polls June 8 to decide on a newly proposed budget, which was raised by $100,000 after 490 voters said on May 11 that the budget was too low, as opposed to the 386 who said it was too high. The funds were taken from the teacher accrual account.

The first proposal cut about 30 positions from the school staff. If the new budget were to be approved, the school board would decide how to spend the $100,000 added to the proposal.