New Milford residents have approved a budget with a 1.7 percent mill rate increase.  Mayor Pete Bass says both the town and Board of Education budgets were approved.  About 9-percent of registered voters cast ballots.

Residents decided 978-604 in favor of $67.8 million for the schools and 1,059-519 for a town operating budget of $41.8 million. 

Bass says the main budget drivers were due to paid staff at the New Milford Ambulance, New Milford Ambulance Barn Building Debt, Health insurance costs, Library opening, and bringing back full staff.