"SHALL THE TOWN OF GUILFORD APPROVE THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2008 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2009, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE TO THE ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET MEETING OR AS REDUCED THEREBY?"

YES: 1395 NO: 1132

"SHALL THE TOWN OF GUILFORD APPROPRIATE $2,595,000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE ROOF AT A.W. COX ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FOR DRAINAGE AND WATER INFILTRATION IMPROVEMENTS AT ELISABETH C. ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL, AND ISSUE BONDS AND NOTES TO FINANCE THE PORTION OF THE APPROPRIATION NOT FUNDED FROM GRANTS?"

YES: 1758 NO: 774

"SHALL THE TOWN OF GUILFORD APPROPRIATE $365,000 FOR VARIOUS SCHOOL FACILITIES RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS AT ABRAHAM BALDWIN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MELISSA JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND ISSUE BONDS AND NOTES IN THE SAME AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION?"

YES: 1658 NO: 875

While the turnout was low for this (16.9% of eligilble voters), there are reasons to be encouraged:

1) A turnout this low means there is a lot of room to educate and recruit "yes" voters

2) The relative margin of the infrastructure improvements (~2:1) vs. the budget as a whole (~1:1) shows that the voting electorate understands that money needs to be invested in the infrastructure

However, from the New Haven Register: "The approved budget represents a 5.72 percent increase from the 2007-08 package. Funding for the school district makes up the bulk of the budget, at $48.2 million. Based on this budget, the town is projecting a tax rate of 19.19 mills. The current tax rate is 24.32, but with a revaluation this year, the average homeowner's property assessment increased 38 percent. Even with a lower tax rate, many residents will see their taxes increase."

The revalution this year may cause a backlash against funding that we will need to be aware of.