With about 22-percent voter turnout, Bethel residents narrowly approved a $65 million school renovation project.  The vote was 1,477 to 1,265.

45-percent of eligible costs, about $23 million, could be reimbursed by the state.  The Rockwell and Johnson project could add $269 a year in taxes to the average home.

Bethel officials have estimated that the cost of not renovating the buildings is almost as high as the net cost of both projects, due to the age and condition of the two facilities.

Board of Ed chairman Larry Craybas says only making repairs would leave the town with two obsolete buildings, unable to meet the needs of 21st century education.  Craybas says the buildings lack adequate space, are far out of date with building and safety codes and the roofs are near the end of their life spans.

The way Bethel's charter is written, a referendum had to be held before November 15th, to show resident-backing of the project, in order to get on the state priority list.