Both the proposed 2026-27 municipal and school budgets passed by less than 50 votes during the May 19 referendum.

The $50,982,035 town budget passed 1,938 to 1,891, a margin of 47 votes; the $95,561,919 Board of Education budget passed 1,938 to 1,897, a margin of 41 votes.

This means that the $146,543,954 budget is approved in its entirety, with a 3.48% spending increase over last year. This increases the mill rate to 29.30 mills, a .52 mill or 1.8% increase over last year's mill rate of 28.78.

Additionally, an advisory question on a $2,317,210 HVAC system at Newtown High School in the C, D, and F wings of the building passed, 2,375 to 1,447.

Turnout was 21%, with 3,863 of 18,383 registered voters casting a vote.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.