The Region 15 referendum of $60,251,578, a 0% increase from the previous year, was approved by a vote of 2,564 to 1,141 Wednesday night.
Voting closed at the Shepardson Building in Middlebury and the Southbury Fire House at 8 p.m. and an official announcement was made at 8:06 p.m. Middlebury voted 458 yes and 567 no, while Southbury voted 2,106 yes and 574 no.
With the approval, the total cost to the region’s two towns is now $60,022,578. Middlebury now owes $17,964,315 with state aid cost sharing of $713,571. Southbury is responsible for $38,948,528 with state aid cost sharing of $2,396,164.
Turnout had been slow at the Middlebury polls earlier today, while it seemed to be steady in Southbury.
In Middlebury, 361 voters had filled out their ballots as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, lower than previous years according to Voting Director Marilee Dabkowski.
“It’s less than in past years at this time,” said Dabkowski. “It may be the weather, but we usually have more by now.”
In Southbury, 960 residents had cast their vote as of 11:58 a.m., and more than 600 votes were cast before 9 a.m.
“Voter turnout has been pretty steady all morning,” said JoAnn Bolin of the Southbury Registrar Office. "I have been watching because the weather has not been cooperating. It's been raining to beat the band. But there still has been a steady stream of cars up into the polling site."
Region 15 Treasurer Joseph J. Rock of Middlebury has said this budget would go a long way in preserving the Region 15 program.
“It will support middle school world language programs, support the K-12 Language Arts program, have a minimum staff reduction, expand online course participation, address secondary school reform, support IT acquisition and still stay affordable,” said Rock.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
