FREEPORT — RSU 5, made up of Durham, Freeport and Pownal, will hold another “annual” budget meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Freeport High School cafeteria.

On July 8 the Board of Directors approved a revised school budget totalling $22,691,964 for the 2009-10 school year that will be presented to voters from the three towns Tuesday night. The new figure reflects a reduction of $755,581 from the initial budget proposed on March 28.

In order to vote on budget changes Tuesday night, residents must be registered voters in their respective town. It is recommended they arrive early for voter check-in.

The RSU budget process requires more public participation than in the past, directors stress. They are encouraging all citizens to attend in order to have a say in the final budget that will be voted on in the second three-town, budget validation referendum on July 28.

The board would like to remind all voters that it is critical that they understand that a vote against this budget is not a vote against consolidation. A statewide vote to repeal the consolidation law will be held in November.