On April 21, 2,251 of Guilford’s 13,980 registered voters—16.1 percent—turned out to the polls for the budget referendum, approving the $90,703,425 budget 1,302 to 949. The budget, a 3.1 percent increase over current year expenditures, includes the town’s operating costs of $33,193,908 and the Board of Education’s costs of $57,509,517.

“The voters recognized we put a good budget together, and we thank them for it,” said First Selectman Joe Mazza. “The turnout was normal for a referendum. We’d like more, but [16.1 percent] is about average.”

Residents also voted on four other questions, voting “Yes” to appropriate funds to various projects. Residents voted 1,230 to 1,003 in favor of appropriating $2,205,000 for improvements to town facilities, which will impact the new science wing.

“To do that, we have to complete the construction of the new high school, then we can start to demolish the old high school,” said Mazza. “That will leave the science wing standing, and we can proceed with working on the remainder of the science wing.”

Question 3, appropriating $1,280,000 for costs related to the town’s Inland Road Reconstruction and Improvements Program, Phase I, and the acquisition of a grader for the Public Works Department, passed by the widest margin of all the questions, with 1,433 voting “Yes” to 802 voting “No.”

Mazza expects roadwork to begin in late spring and early summer with the first priority being cleanup after the harsh winter and the patching of potholes before the major work begins.

“The major work requires design before we can go ahead and do the reconstruction,” said Mazza. “Some of the design work may also need approvals if it’s required from DEEP.”

Question 4 and 5 related to the town’s K through 8 schools, with the appropriation of $3,595,000 for facility improvements and future project engineering passing 1,210 to 1,031 and the appropriation of $1,695,000 for security and technology updates passing 1,335 to 911. Much of the funding for security updates will go toward Melissa Jones Elementary School.

“We’re pleased with the results of the referendum and that the voters had the confidence in the budget we put together and the budget questions,” said Mazza.