MEXICO — A sometimes narrow majority of the nearly 300 residents who went to the polls on Tuesday passed all but one of the 11 money articles needed to operate the town.

The sole loser at the polls was $354,821 requested for municipal administration. That vote was 142-148.

Those 11 articles were defeated at the first referendum vote held on June 11.

According to town ordinance, residents may only vote twice on articles that comprise the municipal budget.

Town Manager John Madigan said that is because selectmen can set the tax rate and get the tax bills out to residents in a timely manner so the town will have an adequate cash flow.

The figure adopted for fiscal year 2012-13 will be used for administration. It is slightly lower than the defeated amount.

Other results are: Recreation, $114,974, 153-138; Public Safety, $889,030, 158-133; Health and Welfare, $98,349, 160-132; Social Services, $2,250, 172-120; Public Works, $744,899, 173-118; Mexico Public Library, $66,271, 151-134; debt service, $348,215, 169-115; unclassified/miscellaneous, $69,847; transportation to Holy Savior School, $250, 149-137; and up to $100,000 to go toward the purchase of a 2002 custom pumper, 156-130.

Residents approved a municipal budget of $2.98 million during last year’s town meeting referendum, which carried with it a tax rate of $25 per $1,000 valuation.

The proposed 2013-14 municipal budget is a few thousand dollars less. Madigan said he expects the tax rate to stay the same despite a reduction in state revenue sharing.