FAIRFIELD — About 65 residents approved a 2012-13 municipal budget of $5,458,813 on Monday night, a decrease of $40,540 from a year ago.

It marked the third consecutive year the municipal budget was less than the previous year.

The 2012-13 budget requires that taxpayers raise $2.6 million, which is a 4 percent decrease from the current operating budget.

The remainder of the budget will come from projected revenue of $2,858,312.

The approved budget is $1,000 less than the Budget Committee’s recommendation of $5,459,813.

The difference resulted from townspeople approving $5,000 for the Fairfield Historical Society, rather than the $6,000 recommended by the Budget Committee.

While the municipal budget is lower, Town Manager Josh Reny warned residents that when the proposed School Administrative District 49 budget and the Somerset County budget are added to the mix, property tax bills will likely be higher than they were a year ago.

Leonard Dow moderated the 90-minute meeting at the Community Center.

By a show of hands, townspeople approved the first 31 of 56 warrant articles without discussion, including:

• $970,232 for public works

• $889,276 for the police department

• $739,891 for the fire department

• $535,434 for administration

• $485,275 for solid waste disposal and recycling

• $420,470 for the municipal department.

As part of the public works budget, Reny said union workers will receive a 2 percent wage increase, which will take effect in October.

Administrative managers will receive a 1.5 percent cost of living wage increase, Reny said.

Contract negotiations are under way for police and fire personnel, Reny said,

By a 62-2 written ballot tally, voters approved borrowing as much as $365,000 for sewer overflow improvements.

Reny said the amount necessary to complete the final phase of the multi-year project would likely be closer to $250,000.

Beth Staples — 861-9252

[email protected]