Voters approved the town’s proposed $32,950,575 operating budget for the 2009 by nearly a thousand votes in Tuesday’s balloting.

The budget passed 2,174 to 1,202. About 17.6 percent of registered voters turned out at the polls March 10.

School officials also won support for a $56,608,925 operating budget, 2,135 to 1,272. The budget includes funding for the district’s kindergarten program, set to start in the fall.

A proposal calling for the creation of a charter commission gained a thin margin of approval among voters, with a final tally of 1,657 to 1,521. The measure paves the way for a possible change in the way the town is governed.

Salem is currently the largest community in the state that operates with a five-member board of selectmen and town manager.

A bond article appropriating just over $2 million for the reconstruction of the Lawrence Road bridge and the Cluff Crossing bridge, both of which have been on the state’s municipal bridge red list since 2007 for structural deficiencies, gained the necessary two-thirds majority from voters as well – 2,628 yes votes vs. 794 against. According to town officials, about 80 percent of the funding for the project put up by the town will be reimbursed through the state.

A slew of zoning proposals met mixed results among voters. A change in the zoning ordinance aimed at the potential redevelopment of the Rockingham Park racetrack, which would allow large-scale developers more flexibility for commercial projects of 25 acres or more, gained approval from voters, while a proposed amendment allowing for the construction of buildings up to five stories in height was narrowly defeated.

Voters also rejected increases in salaries and benefits for the school district’s teachers, aides, secretaries, nurses, student specialists and custodians. An increase for the food service personnel – funded by the state – was passed narrowly by voters.

Incumbents received support among voters as Selectman Arthur Barnes (1,594) and Selectman Elizabeth Roth (1,858) both won re-election bids, defeating challengers Roland Thebage (1,097), Ronald Belanger (983) and Paul Welch (519).

School board members Robert Bryant (1,564) and Pamela Berry (1,894) also retained their seats, defeating rivals Janet Bruce (1,294) and Dane Hoover (931).