Bethel residents have voted to send a budget for the coming fiscal year to a referendum on April 20th. During the Annual Town Meeting earlier this week, residents weighed in on the 32-point-9 million dollar municipal tax and spending plan, and the 49-million dollars proposed for the schools. Bethel Action Committee Founder Billy Michael says the budget is a million dollar increase over the current fiscal year's budget and comes at a bad time because of the pandemic. Others say the 2-and-a-quarter increase for the schools is needed. Bethel residents will be able to cast budget ballots at their usual polling locations, but absentee ballots will be allowed with COVID as an excuse. Bethel residents looking to cast a ballot by mail need to first obtain an application from the Town Clerk, by appointment.