Easton voters overwhelmingly approved all four questions on the ballot in Tuesday’s townwide referendum, signaling strong support for next year’s school and municipal budgets as well as two key policy changes affecting local governance and historic preservation.
The town budget for fiscal year 2025–26 passed with a vote of 632 in favor to 153 opposed, according to the unofficial results posted on the town website. The $51.3 million budget, which includes Easton’s share of the Region 9 school district, reflects a slight overall decrease due to reductions in debt service and some departmental savings. Despite the decrease, the education portion of the budget saw a notable increase, driven by special education needs and reduced federal and state aid.
Voters also backed the Region 9 school district budget by a margin of 621 to 161. Easton will contribute roughly $14 million of the district’s $26.5 million total, with Redding covering the remaining $12.5 million. The budget represents a 4.26 percent increase over the previous year and includes additional funds for curriculum development and special education costs. Redding also approved the Region 9 budget by a vote of 473 in favor to 173 opposed.
In a decision that could reshape local land-use politics, residents voted 563 to 201 in favor of modifying the Planning and Zoning Ordinance to make the commission an elected body. Currently appointed by town officials, the commission will transition to elected representation gradually over the next several municipal election cycles.
The proposal to designate Easton Town Hall as a local historic property received the widest margin of approval, passing 683 to 87. The designation recognizes the 1938 building’s architectural and civic significance while making Easton eligible for state preservation funding.
