MEXICO — Residents will have another chance Thursday to act on a proposed Recreation Department budget when they go to the polls.

Voting is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Calvin P. Lyons Meeting Hall.

Voters rejected a proposed $144,100 budget during the town meeting referendum in June. The vote was 158-209.

The new budget proposal  is $114,842, up from the 2011-12 budget of $93,600.

Town Manager John Madigan said to get to $114,842, the number of hours for the recreation director was reduced from 40 to 30, the recreation reserve account was decreased by $9,000 to $5,000, and the amount for purchasing new equipment, snack bar items and for repairing skates was lowered. Also, fuel costs were reduced and custodial hours decreased. He said the furnace has been turned off for the summer in an effort to save fuel oil.

This is the last chance for residents to act on a Recreation Department budget for this fiscal year. Town by-laws allow for just one additional vote if the original number is voted down.

If it is voted down, the department will operate on last year’s figure.

People on both sides of the issue have been adamant.

The Recreation Committee and supporters have argued that a full-time director is necessary for the program to grow. Opponents have said that the proposed increases are unnecessary and that volunteers could do much of the paid work for the program.

The committee oversees the Recreation Building, the Recreation Park, and the recreation programs.

Madigan said a budget must be finalized so the tax rate can be set and property tax bills sent out within the next couple of weeks.