Referendum Today in Killingworth on $4.18 Million Budget

The polls are now open in Killingworth.

Voters have until 8 o'clock this evening to vote "yes" or "no" at Killingworth Elementary School on the following:

1. To adopt the Budget recommendation of the Board of Finance of an Operating Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013 in the amount of $4,181,645.

2. To adopt the Budget recommendation of the Board of Finance of a Capital Budget for fiscal year July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013 in the amount of $675,000.

In a , the town's leader writes about the work that has gone into next year's budget.

"I urge everyone to come out to vote in favor of the budget, which is 4.5 percent lower than last year’s budget. With this budget, almost everyone in town will see a decrease in their property taxes," Iino writes.

Meanwhile, Killingworth's Republican Town Committee is urging voters to "cast an informed vote" today.

: "This means that although some residents' taxes will largely remain the same since the raise in the mill rate will offset the decrease in the property value, many other residents will receive an increase in their property tax.  No official figures have been released as to the exact number of residents who will be affected by this."

The town's budget, which until today had always been voted on at a town meeting, was sent to referendum after a group of citizens led a successful petition drive.

On May 21, fewer than but no questions specific to the proposed budget were raised.