Budget passes, but turnout drops

WINSTED >> Residents overwhelmingly approved the 2017-18 budget for the community Saturday, as the annual budget referendum was held.

The $33.44 million financial plan passed by a 511-53 vote, according to Town Clerk Shelia Sedlack — meaning that 554 eligible people cast ballots in this year’s referendum.

This represents a significant drop in turnout as compared to past referendums — 1,418 residents voted last year, while 1,240 came out in 2015.

Mayor Althea Candy Perez said Saturday she believed residents had approved the budget, in part, because of the lack of a tax increase — the tax rate will remain level at 33.54 mills under the budget — and their belief in town officials.

“I think people had confidence in the leadership by our town manager and staff,” said Perez.

The Board of Selectmen has been working well together, Perez said, leading to progress in the community.

Town roads will see the benefit of $1.4 million in funding for repairs, to be paid for, in part, by approximately $635,000 drawn from the town fund balance.

The road funding is included, according to the proposal put forward by Town Manager Robert Geiger, in a $1.96 million capital budget, which also includes funding for a salt shed, excavator, police vehicles, and additional funding for the Sucker Brook Road Bridge project.

Town schools will receive the minimum amount of funding for the district allowable under state law, known as the minimum budget requirement — $19.96 million.

An additional $330,000 is included in a “Town Support for Education” line item, to be used for non-educational expenses in the town schools.

According to the office of the Secretary of the State, 7,495 town residents were registered to vote in the November election. 6,199 of these individuals were considered active voters.