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REHOBOTH - Voters overwhelmingly defeated a temporary override of the state's Proposition 2 1/2 law in Tuesday's special election.

The proposed debt exclusion, for a bond to fund a wastewater system upgrade at Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School, was defeated by more than a 2-1 margin, with 1,218 votes opposed and 525 votes in favor.

The special election coincided with the state primary, and as expected turnout was good, with more than 23.4 percent of the town's 7,451 registered voters casting ballots.

"It reaffirms the intelligence of the voters in Rehoboth," selectmen Chairman Christopher Morra said.

Both towns approved up to $1.2 million for the project at town meeting, and Rehoboth decided the funding would be subject to a debt exclusion vote. While an override raises property taxes permanently, a debt exclusion would have lasted only until the project was paid for.

It was expected to raise taxes about $20 per year for average homeowners, based on the $1.2 million amount.

Many voters said they voted against the debt exclusion because they didn't want taxes to increase.

Others, like Candy Cederberg, voted for the debt exclusion to support the schools.

"We have enough of a struggle with managing the school's operating budget and we need to get it (the septic system) fixed. I've seen a significant decline in the school system the last couple of years," said Cederberg, a 15-year resident.

Despite efforts to educate the public about the wastewater project at the high school, questions remained on whether the proposed leaching field was the best option and on the cost of the project.

"I'm not inherently against the septic project, but I'm not necessarily convinced that a $1.2 million debt exclusion is the proper course of action. There are many questions still outstanding about the project," said resident Mike Deignan.

Arthur Gareau, a Rehoboth resident and water treatment facility manager, expressed concerns about the project at school committee meetings this summer, which raised doubts among residents.

"The school committee has not been forthcoming on this issue," Morra said.

Selectmen are scheduled to discuss options for the septic system upgrade at their next meeting Monday, including putting a new article on the project before voters at the special town meeting in November. Tuesday's election was the fifth time since 2005 that Rehoboth has rejected an override vote and the second one this year.

The first, in July, was a permanent budget override of $471,201 to fund the school district assessment and agricultural preservation fund. That one also was defeated by more than a 2-1 margin.

LAURA CALVERLEY covers Rehoboth for The Sun Chronicle. She can reached at lcalverley@thesunchronicle.com.