Stonington — Residents here will go to the polls on Tuesday to vote on the proposed $61.2 million budget for 2015-16 and its .89-mill tax rate increase.

The vote comes just two weeks after residents overwhelmingly approved a $69 million plan to renovate and expand Deans Mill and West Vine Street schools. Town and school officials hope that Tuesday’s vote will meet with the same success.

Over the past 25 years, residents here have always approved building projects such as the new police station, high school renovation and sewer plant upgrades which have increased taxes, but have often been reluctant to support increases in the annual operating budget, often forcing multiple votes and cuts before agreeing to approve a budget. But that sentiment has begun to wane a bit over the past few years.

Last year, residents approved the current budget which called for a tax hike of .55 mills on the first vote and the year before they approved the 2013-14 budget and its .35 mill tax hike at the first referendum. The proposed 2015-16 budget, which boosts spending by 4.2 percent, would generate a tax rate of 21.32 mills.

Town officials have pointed out the proposed budget calls for filling the vacant director of planning position, establishing an economic development office, adding a police officer next January, hiring a grant writer and replacing some police cruisers and highway department trucks. The school budget is up 3 percent as the finance board cut the proposed $1.8 million school budget increase by $800,000.

On Sunday, The Day published an article jointly authored by Selectman Mike Spellman and school board chairman Frank Todisco and a second written by Selectman Rob Simmons. Both articles supported the budget and called on residents to approve it.

“It is an opportunity for voters to again make a statement that encourages continued progress. What has in the past been a contentious budget process now sees professionalism, vision, collaboration and innovation. In formulating this budget, the boards of finance, education and selectmen have united, compromised, and worked together for the best long-term interests of the town,” wrote Spellman and Todisco.

They added, “We see a new beginning awakening in Stonington. Our town is a safe community to live in and gives a quality of life few others can boast of. Stonington should take pride in this budget and its Board of Finance for exercising fiduciary responsibility while compromising. Our taxes are low in comparison to surrounding towns, while supporting quality services and a quality education.”

Simmons wrote, “Members of Stonington’s various boards and commissions have followed a bipartisan process that reduced the contention and animosity that characterized prior budget debates. The boards of education, finance and selectmen were unanimous in supporting the budget that includes over $35 million for education alone. It passed at town meeting without statements or a vote in opposition. School Superintendent Van Riley called the process 'professional and positive.”'

The polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following polling places: Districts 1 and 3, Stonington Borough firehouse; District 2, Pawcatuck Firehouse; and Districts 4 and 5, B.F. Hoxie Engine Co. firehouse, Mystic. Results will be announced about 8:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas