SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Voters yesterday approved changes to the Town Charter that eliminate the Financial Town Meeting and overhaul the budget approval process. They also gave the nod to $5.9 million in borrowing for open space, roadwork, renovations to the Neighborhood Guild and to build a community gym, based on unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.

The charter amendments were the work of a committee appointed by the Town Council to assess whether the Financial Town Meeting was still working after more than 280 years.

Officials had urged residents to approve a $1.5-million bond for the estimated $4-million gym, saying it would provide needed recreation space. Residents agreed two years ago to $1.5 million in borrowing, with another $850,000 to come from recreation impact fees.

Voters supported $3 million in open space bonds and $1 million for improvements at the Neighborhood Guild. Another $400,000 bond issue will go toward roadwork, sidewalk improvements and dam reconstruction projects.