The Bethel education budget failed last week by two votes.  An automatic hand recount was triggered after the referendum when the results showed there were just three more votes in opposition than those in favor.  Residents rejected the municipal budget by 29 votes, and decided that both were too high. 

The founder of the Tax watchdog group Bethel Action Committee, Billy Michael, says this is the second time a recount was needed.  He says the BAC isn't against a slight increase in spending, noting that there can be 3-point-3 million dollars in new spending without needing a mill rate increase.

The Bethel Board of Finance is set to meet at 7pm tonight about budget revisions.