Voters Approve East Windsor Budget

On a day that saw sunshine and then rain, residents of East Windsor took to the polls to finally approve a fiscal spending and revenue plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

Taxpayers approved the proposed $33.9 million municipal budget, the third version to be put to them for a vote in the past month, by a tally of 568 in favor and 405 opposed.

Without wasting any time, the Board of Finance met immediately following the results announcement and approved a 24.73 mil tax rate for the 2012-13 year, which represents a 0.35 mil increase when compared with the current year.

The budget represents a 1.97 percent increase over the 2011-12 budget and includes $13.73 million for the general government and $20.17 million for education, a 3.39 percent in school spending when compared with the current year.

If the budget had been defeated today it will be the last time taxpayers have an opportunity to vote on the 2012-13 proposal. According to a provision in the town charter after three failed referendum votes town officials must take the current year’s budget (the 2011-12 budget) and increase it by 2 percent across the board. That default amount will be considered the approved budget under the charter.

Check back to Patch first thing Wednesday morning for more details on the vote and the finance board meeting.