About 200 voters OK $49.74M budget

CROMWELL — The 2018-19 town budget was overwhelmingly approved Tuesday in light voting as just 286 residents out of the 10,028 eligible cast ballots for the $49.74 million spending package.

The voting, which ran from noon to 8 p.m., took place in the Jake Salafia Gymnasium at Cromwell High School. Residents were asked to decide three questions, with allocations for education, general government and bonded debt.

The $29.72 million education budget was approved by a vote of 210-76.

The $16.33 million general government budget, which involves all non-education governmental spending, passed by 209-75.

Debt service, the money the town pays on previously approved bond issues, which amounts to $3.69 million in the coming year’s budget, was approved by 236-47.

The $49.74 million overall budget is 1 percent higher than the current year’s total.

Low turnout Tuesday continued a trend that has developed over the past few years. Last year, 263 residents voted on the spending proposal.

During the post-voting Board of Finance meeting, member Steve Wygonowski raised concerns about the results. However, both Chairman John A. Henehan and Town Manager Anthony J. Salvatore assured Wygonowski if residents

were dissatisfied with the budget, they would have turned out in force — as they have in the past.

Speaking Wednesday afternoon, Salvatore said town officials redoubled their efforts this year to ensure residents knew about the vote. In addition to signs announcing the referendum, the issue was highlighted on

the town’s website and in three newspapers that cover the town, he added.

Salvatore praised Superintendent of Schools John Maloney and Mayor Enzo Faienza for aggressively using social media to make residents aware of the impending vote.

Jeff Mill / Hearst Connecticut Media Cromwell officials tally the votes from Tuesday night’s budget referendum.