CLEAN SWEEP FOR BALLOT ITEMS IN BURLINGTON

Burlington voters gave an overwhelming endorsement Tuesday to 11 ballot items.

The issues included a tax increase, changes in the city charter and a
resolution supporting legalization of medical marijuana. They all won at
least 60 percent of the vote. Results Tuesday night were unofficial.

The city won permission for a 4-cent increase in the tax rate by nearly a
2-to-1 ratio, by a vote of 5,389 to 2,856. The increase will raise
approximately $744,000 for a cash-strapped city, with $465,000 going to the
police and fire departments and smaller amounts to Public Works, Parks and
Recreation and Fletcher Free Library.

The school budget also won in a landslide, 5,286 to 2,912.

A second school item also had overwhelming support.

Voters approved a change in the city charter that permits the school
district to spend adjustments in state payments even when budgets are voted
down, and that also prohibits votes on the school budget after May 20, won
nearly 70 percent support, 5,578 to 2,424.

Voters also gave 2-to-1 support to the proposed regional technical school,
approving the formation of a technical school district by a vote of 5,300
to 2,719.

Three other charter change items won broad support:

- -- Voters approved a change that establishes a special election to fill a
mayoral vacancy by more than 8-to-2, 6,349 to 1,479;

- -- They approved a charter change that increases the power of the police
chief by giving the chief the power to hire, fire and discipline officers.
The vote was 5,000 to 2,964.

- -- Nearly 63 percent of voters gave their approval of University of Vermont
police officers to enforce city ordinances. The vote was 5,188 to 3,066.

Two bond issues also won wide support:

- -- Voters approved the issuing of $1.8 bond issue to repair the Chittenden
County Court House by a vote of 5,215 to 2,784;

- -- They voted 5,582 to 2,436 in favor of a $10 million bond for capital
repairs to the Burlington Electric system.

The two advisory referendums on the ballot also passed easily:

- -- Voters urged the Legislature to phase in the $1.59 rise in commercial
tax rates arising from Act 68. The vote was 4,346 to 2,822.

- -- By the largest margin of the day, more than 82 percent of voters came
down on the side of legalizing medical marijuana. The vote was 6,889 to 1,467.