NEWTON — The police department will be working in the same conditions for at least one more year.

Voters rejected a proposed $925,000 renovation to the police station, 414-494. The bond article required three-fifths voter to pass.

The town also voted down an article from asking for a sixth full-time police officer to be added to the department, 314-572.

Police Chief Larry Streeter attributed the failure of the articles to the economy.

"It's disappointing, but it's all about the economy," Streeter said last night. "Some people just don't have the money to spare and those who do are just holding onto it."

The renovation would have increased the station's size from 1,500 square feet to 4,700 square feet. The town narrowly voted down a plan for a $3 million police and fire complex in 2007.

Constructed in 1982 as a post office and converted into a police station in 1993, the current police station has no space for interrogations, and police keep their files in a rat-infested storage shed.

Streeter said he would likely continue to pursue a renovation next year, and may seek to add the additional officer through federal stimulus money.

"I think we are on the right track, I think the need still exists and people recognize that," Streeter said. "I won't deviate too much on what was proposed this year next year."

A total of 923 voters, 30 percent of registered voters, turned out to the polls for Town Meeting yesterday. Along with the police articles, residents voted on 38 other articles, including the election of town officers.

Voters rejected the proposed operating budget, 314-572. The budget was proposed at $2.9 million. The default budget is $2.8 million.

Robert Donovan, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, defeated challenger Frank Gibbs 565-321.

Donovan, a home remodeler and former police officer, was elected to his seat in 2006, in his first run at town office. He has served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the last year.

Gibbs was the former town road agent and a member of the Planning Board. He will continue to serve on the Planning Board after defeating Frederick Gundersen, 533-474, yesterday.

Voters opted not to pay the town clerk a salary of $51,000, instead maintaining the practice of compensating the clerk through statutory fees collected.

Voters rejected a lot of warrant articles, from a 10-foot fence around the transfer station to Phase II of a sprinkler system in Town Hall.

A three-way race for treasurer was won by Jennifer Gaines. The position has been held on an interim basis by Brenda Fiers since January, when former town treasurer Cheryl Nelson resigned. Gaines received 301 votes, Deidre Castle 293, and Fiers 143.