Budget Referendum Fails

On May 11, the Registrar of Voters announced the number of votes for and against the $14.5 million town and $31.5 million school budget for the fiscal year '11-'12 in Clinton.

Both budgets failed.

First Selectman Willie Fritz was not happy, saying that misinformation has repeatedly been given out by a taxpayer group.

"One of them I know doesn't even pay his taxes," said Fritz.

Fritz also expressed his dissatisfaction with those who said they were in favor of the budget but have "Vote No" signs on their lawns.

The final tally, including absentee votes, is 1,432 "no" to 903 "yes" for the town budget; and 1,413 "no" to 924 " yes" for the school budget. The ballot had just those two questions. 

When one or both of the budgets do not pass at referendum vote, the budgets immediately go back to the town's Board of Finance for reductions.

"The Finance Board will meet within the next few days in order to meet the legal obligations of the newspapers in order to publish the public notice of a public hearing," said Town Clerk Karen Marsden.

A public hearing on the altered budget will be held Wednesday, May 18 at 7pm at Andrews Memorial Town Hall.

The second referendum vote will be held in two weeks - on Wednesday, May 25 from 6am-8pm at town hall.

Registrars of Voters June Hanson and Wendy McDermott said 2,341 people voted which is about 26 percent of registered voters.  Electors, or people who currently own property assessed at $1,000 or more, are also authorized to vote.