Preston — Voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a $126,861 new playground for the Preston Veterans’ Memorial School in a turnout that was better than expected for the one-issue referendum.

Residents approved the project 178 to 109 including four absentee ballots, and construction is expected to take place next spring on the playground that will serve students in grades three through five. A new playground for younger students was built two years ago.

Republican Registrar Parke Spicer said the referendum used every ballot available. Expecting a low turnout, the registrars ordered 300 ballots and used 17 to test machines. When the 283rd voter arrived just before 8 p.m., Spicer said: “That’s it.” No more voters arrived.

The town has 2,949 eligible voters, meaning the turnout was nearly 10 percent.

The project will cost $126,861, with $98,861 to come from the town capital non-recurring account, and the remaining $28,000 to come from the town general fund.

The Board of Education voted in June to turn over $28,000 in surplus budget funds to the town with the intention that it be used as the school board’s contribution to the project.

The school board also agreed to open the playground to the public during non-school hours and to do regular maintenance of the equipment.

In addition, the PTO has secured $23,100 in in-kind volunteer donations of time and skilled labor, including excavation of the site, for the project.

Melissa Lennon, the PTO member who led the effort to design the project and cut costs to meet town officials’ approval, said she felt mostly “relieved, really relieved” when the final tally was read by election moderator Ted Powell.

“Congratulations,” First Selectman Robert Congdon said to Lennon. “Your work really paid off.”

Lennon said she plans to meet with the Board of Selectmen, Superintendent John Welch and the Board of Education to plan the scheduling for the project.

Ideally, she said, most of the construction would take place during April vacation.

She said also looks forward to going to the school and spreading the good news to students who filled out surveys and rated the various playground equipment options to help with the design.

“I am elated for the children at PVMS who will see their dream (playground) become a reality this spring,” Lennon said. “I am grateful to the residents of Preston who came to vote and share their opinion.”

c.bessette@theday.com

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