New Fairfield residents have approved a budget with 694 in favor, 401 opposed.  There was about a 12-percent voter turn out.  The $52 million budget is a slight increase in spending over the current year.  There's $41.4 million budgeted for the schools and $10.6 million on the municipal side.  The increase is about $879,000.  New Fairfield officials say that's for an increase in tax relief for seniors, school employee raises and extended paramedic coverage to 24-hours-a-day during the week. 

Because of the revaluation done last year, not everyone will see a tax increase. 

Savings were found in the school budget by eliminating three teaching positions through attrition and declining enrollment.  While there is a 1.3 percent increase in spending, school officials say that was kept down because of health insurance savings and energy efficient lighting being installed.