FARMINGTON — Voters in the Regional School Unit 9 district narrowly approved a $32.7 million school budget by a vote of 1,325 to 1,288.

It was the second attempt to pass a budget for 2016-17.

The nine towns voted as follows:

* Chesterville, rejected 70-166;

• Farmington, approved 575-400;

• Industry, approved 51-46;

• New Sharon, rejected  94-203;

• New Vineyard, rejected 26-101;

• Starks, approved 88-6; 

• Temple, approved 70-58;

• Vienna, approved 48-34; 

*Weld, approved 21-12; and

• Wilton, approved 282-262.

“I am very appreciative of the efforts many people have put into getting the facts out about this budget,” Superintendent Tom Ward said. “However, it is obvious that we still have a great deal of work ahead of us. This budget allows us to continue moving the district forward in meeting the needs of our children and treating our employees fairly.”

The proposed spending package for 2016-17 reflects a $705,202 increase, or 2.2 percent, over last year’s $32 million budget.

Under the plan, eight of the 10 towns would see a decrease in tax assessments from last year. New Vineyard’s tax assessment would increase $339 and Starks’ assessment would see an increase of $17,563. 

An initial spending proposal of $32.97 million — a nearly $930,000 increase from last year — was rejected June 14 in a validation referendum in each town.

NOTE: The article has been modified since it was first published to reflect the correct over all vote on the budget and the town of Chesterville’s vote. It was a reporting error. 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

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