Polls are open in Bethel for residents to vote on a municipal budget.  About $230,000was cut from the proposed tax and spending plan by the Bethel Board of Finance, putting it at $26.979 million.  A recount determined that residents rejected the town budget by seven votes.  That budget was for $27.2 million.

The Board of Finance has proposed cutting the Employee Benefits Hospitalization account by $77,000 and the Transfer Station's budget by $20,000.  They have also proposed cutting the Bethel Fire Department's capital equipment account by $40,000 and the pension by $50,000, the library's budget by $4,100, the Police Department's capital equipment budget by $9,800 and their overtime budget by $10,000 and the Highway Department's road construction budget by $3,800 among other changes.

The education budget will stand, as approved at $42 million and will not be voted on again.  There's also just over $2 million in capital expenses that were approved. 

Polls are open until 8pm.