It may cost them a few dollars on a tax rate that is the envy of most towns around, but Westport voters can and should vote yes on two questions that will help their town out of an impossible budget squeeze.

Questions 2 and 3 on Tuesday’s ballot would exempt interest paid on important big-ticket purchases and projects from Westport’s Proposition 2 1/2 calculations.

Westport’s problem is that merely keeping up with payroll, pension, snow plowing, utilities  — the basics — has the town pushing its Prop 2 1/2 limit. There is no money left for replacing worn out and antiquated equipment.

These aren’t frivolous things. The list includes tackling police station mold, replacing a snowplow, fixing a crumbling parking lot, digging a school well, replacing ancient town hall computers. Some have already been purchased, others are overdue.

Rejecting these questions and pretending the problems will go away won’t work (like purposefully underfunding the snow budget year after year in hopes that it won’t snow). The expenses remain — and get bigger.

• Question 2 also deserves a yes vote. The complexities of town finances these days require the most qualified town treasurer, not necessarily the one who’s most popular or who has the most recognizable name. The job, like the highway surveyor, should be appointed by Selectmen who can set education and experience standards.

• Non-binding questions 4 and 5 are curious given that the town seemed to have reached a satisfactory compromise to the overblown battle for Beach Avenue. Given that it has already been ordered by the state to stop “improving” the barrier beach, it is strange for the town to ask voters to “continue to maintain Beach Avenue to the Knubble as a public road.” There already is public access. Officials don’t need public encouragement to continue this pointless fight.