MECHANIC FALLS – The proposed $18.7 million budget for the newly consolidated Mechanic Falls, Minot and Poland school system received strong support Wednesday night.

Of the 19 budget articles for Regional School Union 16, the closest vote was 62-13.

The only portion of the budget to receive any real challenge was the amount for system administration. An amendment to cut that by 5 percent failed by a wide margin.

“Coming out of the gate for the first time, I think (the administration and the School Committee) have done an incredible job,” said Norm Beauparlant of Poland, a member of the committee that developed the plan to consolidate schools in the three towns.

That committee promised taxpayers there would be no increase.

The budget approved Wednesday fulfills that promise.

Residents in Minot will have to raise $1.56 million; Mechanic Falls taxpayers, $1.38 million; and Poland, $5.77 million.

Poland voters will see no increase in their taxes, while Mechanic Falls and Minot will see decreases of $92,000 and $21,000, respectively.

The budget will go to a referendum in the three towns on Tuesday, May 19, for a yes-or-no vote. Polls will be open from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Municipal Building in Mechanic Falls, the Town Office in Minot and the Town Hall in Poland.