In likely one of the lowest turnouts on record, Lyme and Old Lyme voters passed the Region 18 budget by a substantial margin of 401 votes in both towns combined.  The results showed 69 residents voted against the budget in Old Lyme and 21 in Lyme, while 258 supported it in Old Lyme and 143 in Lyme.

These results reflect 21.1 and 6.4 percent No votes in Old Lyme and Lyme respectively.  In total, the No vote was 18.3 percent in contrast to an overwhelming 72.5 percent of Yes votes.

The budget of $31,963,401 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015 had been unanimously recommended by the board.

Region 18 Superintendent Ian Neviaser, pictured left, was delighted with the result, commenting, “Overall, we’re very happy.  We appreciate the support of the community, which allows us to continue the great education programs that we have here. I’m proud to say we’ve passed the lowest [increase in a]  budget in history, which will allow us to increase student access to technology and continue the redistricting plan.  This [latter] will now enable some areas of Center School to be converted to Pre-Kindergarten facilities.”

The budget is split between the two towns according to enrollment with Old Lyme being responsible for 79.1 percent of the total while Lyme pays for the remaining 20.9 percent.