MONMOUTH – Voters passed a 26-article warrant in less than two hours at the annual town meeting Thursday night. The controversial spending issues were all defeated in a referendum the day before by one of the highest voter turnouts in recent years.

All six questions in the referendum held on Wednesday failed. The town asked voters for permission:

• To adopt a downtown revitalization plan, defeated 395-228;

• To adopt a study of initiatives to reduce the impact of prosperous transport regulations within the downtown area, defeated 377-251;

• To authorize the selectmen to borrow or issue general obligation bonds for $200,000 for construction of a sand and salt storage facility, defeated 346-286;

• To borrow $200,000 for an addition to the highway garage at the public works site, defeated 403-235;

• To appropriate, borrow and spend up to $2,100,000 for the construction of a new public safety building, defeated 508-101.

Town Manager Steven Dyer said 640 people voted Wednesday. “That’s more by 200 than we’ve had in the past 10 years,” he said. In contrast, 150 voters turned out for the town meeting.

Voters can expect a tax increase of about 3.18 percent, or .70 per $1,000 of valuation, according to Dyer. The current mill rate is 22.

The gross expenditures in the municipal budget are increasing by $98,000. Of that, Dyer said, $36,000 is for increases in health and dental insurance for employees and workers compensation premiums. The public works budget increased by $22,000, largely due to added sand and salt purchases.

The school budget is increasing 3.19 percent or $225,541.

“We are one of the few school systems in the state to receive additional school funding,” said Superintendent Tom Hanson. The increase is 1.23 percent over last year.

The most debated issue was the North Monmouth Community Center. An article passed that will authorize the selectmen to take the responsibility for the management and maintenance of the building, including the authority to delegate the management and maintenance to a third party. An amendment also passed keeping the Ward 2 polling place at the center and for the continuation of the playground at the site.

Some people said the building is in a state of disrepair, and they would like to see it torn down. Several said they object to voting in that building because of its condition.

In the municipal election, Pauline P. McDougald was re-elected to a three-year term on the Board of Selectmen with 380 votes. Challengers Susan Harris Pomerleau received 182 and Debra Keeler, 48.

Incumbent Glenn J. Griswold was returned to the School Committee with 318 votes. Gregory A. Paul was also elected with 352 votes. The terms are for three years. Debra Keeler ran unsuccessfully, receiving 239 votes.

Nancy J. Lewis was elected unopposed to a two-year term on the Cumston Library Board of Trustees with 561 votes.

Lois K. Ongley received 533 votes as the sole candidate for a position on the Monmouth Sanitary District.