Preston ― Voters approved the town and school budgets for 2024-25 at Thursday’s referendum, eliciting cheers and applause from several town officials who were on hand to hear the results.

Voters approved the $15 million school budget with a vote of 212-176. The budget received mostly support at the recent public hearing and town meeting, with some residents complaining after the Board of Finance cut 1%, or $151,083, from the initial proposal.

Voters approved the $5.4 million town government budget by a vote of 220-165. Much of the discussion during the town meeting had centered on a 25% increase to the first selectwoman’s salary, bringing it to $120,436, the minimum level in a recent salary study of 12 surrounding towns.

The school budget called for funding for one new bus driver and one additional custodian, with no new programs.

The Board of Finance met in a special meeting following the vote to set the tax rate at 23.37 mills, an increase of 0.5 mills over the current budget.

Turnout for the referendum was 10%, with 385 voters casting ballots.

Town and school officials congratulated one another on the success of the budget votes. Preston often requires multiple votes to pass the budgets, often going into the summer months.

c.bessette@theday.com