Lexington’s budget would increase by almost 6 percent under a preliminary proposal by Town Manager Carl Valente. The town and school budgets are expected to total about $161 million in fiscal 2013, up from about $152 million in the current fiscal year, according to a preliminary budget Valente presented to selectmen Monday. Services offered by the town will be maintained at their current levels under the proposed budget. The School Department has yet to approve its projected portion of the budget, which is about $76 million. The town is also hoping to lower its health insurance costs through negotiations with its employees before the final budget is approved by Town Meeting in the spring. - Brock Parker