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REHOBOTH - For the second time in a month, area voters have said no to an increase in taxes.

Rehoboth voters defeated a Proposition 2 1/2 override by more than a 2-to-1 margin in Tuesday's special election.

The $471,201 budget override for the school district assessment and agricultural preservation fund was defeated 1,878 votes to 716 votes, with 18 blanks.

"It's great news. The citizens in town are intelligent and they realize we have enough money in the system already to fully fund a proper education for our children," selectmen Chairman Christopher Morra said.

Tuesday's election was the fourth time since 2005 that Rehoboth has rejected an override vote. Voters approved the additional funds at town meeting this year, but decided against it when they cast their ballots. The outcome was not a big surprise to town officials, who said the current economy has everyone tightening their belts.

"I didn't expect it to pass, but I'm surprised that the numbers were that overwhelming," Town Administrator David Marciello said.

More than 35 percent of the town's 7,327 registered voters, or 2612 residents, cast ballots. There were 98 absentee ballots.

"It was a much better turnout that I expected which I was happy to see," Town Clerk Kathy Conti said.

The budget override would have increased the average tax bill about 3.5 to 4 percent. Exact figures were not available, but using 2008 numbers, the increase would have been approximately $116 for an average single-family home.

"It (the override) is a step in the wrong direction. The management of the town and school district has to do a better job fiscally," said Allen Brown, a 20-year resident at the polls Tuesday.

Residents who voted in favor of the override said the schools need the additional funds.

"Rehoboth was always known for its education. I feel it's not true anymore. Our funding is terrible compared to other towns," said 15-year resident Kathleen McCann.

In June, Norfolk voters defeated two overrides, one temporary override known as a debt exclusion and a $414,000 budget override.

Rehoboth residents will now have to return to town meeting to balance the budget under the cap. Because the school district's assessment cannot be decreased, the $446,201 earmarked in the override for the school district assessment will have to come from other sources. "I'm confident we'll resolve the funding issues and we'll have enough money for the schools," Morra said.

Tuesday's election was the fourth override vote in area towns since June.

Besides the Norfolk election, voters in Plainville narrowly approved a $650,000 override on June 16.

And on July 15, Mansfield voters approved a temporary tax increase to fund numerous capital projects, including modular classrooms for the high school.