May 8, 2008
Voters say: No, No, No
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by Rachel Kirkpatrick
rkirkpatrick@thereddingpilot.com
Taxpayers just said No at Tuesday’s referendum, defeating the town and Region 9 budgets and the “soft costs” related to the fields and facilities project at Joel Barlow High School.
The $43.7-million town budget was turned down by 53% of voters with 824 Yes votes to 925 No votes. The voter turnout was 26%. The results are unofficial.
Tuesday night, the finance board met after the polls were closed and reduced the town budget by $450,000 (see other story on page one). On May 19, the selectmen will set a new referendum date for the revised budget.
The Region 9 budget for Joel Barlow High School, proposed at $20.5 million, is shared by Redding and Easton and requires a majority vote in the two towns to pass. The total tally between the two towns was 1,632 in favor to 1,926 against. In Redding, the budget was denied by 53% of voters with 820 in favor and 928 against; in Easton, the budget was turned down by 55% of voters with 824 in favor and 998 against.
Region 9’s proposed $375,000 appropriation for “soft costs” related to consulting fees and design work, would have launched the fields and facilities project, but was turned down in both towns. The project involved the construction of fields and the renovation of the athletic facilities at the high school. In Redding, the vote was 991 against to 760 in favor; in Easton, 1,139 against to 679 in favor.
More than 40 people were gathered at the polls at the Redding Community Center to hear the final tally. Many shook their heads in disappointment when it became clear that all three ballot issues had gone down in defeat.
Bill Alvarez, finance board chairman, said he, too, was disappointed in the outcome of the vote. He said his board had to make a “meaningful cut” and that would result in “some tough cuts,” most likely personnel on the town and school sides and in some services.
“These are the things that have to be cut because the budget is not driven by expenses, but by what hit the town all at once,” he said.
He was referring to a decrease in the prior year’s grand list, which reduced the amount of the increase in assessments due to revaluation, reduced tax collections because of the adjustment, unanticipated revenue shortfalls, and a very low fund balance, which is essentially the town’s savings account for emergencies. The budget is also impacted by an increase in the tax benefit for the elderly, which is higher due to revaluation.
“I think it’s fair to say we are disappointed, but certainly understandable given the uncertain atmosphere here in Redding,” said Julia Pemberton, Region 9 vice chairman, regarding the town’s revenue and surplus situation. “Clearly the taxpayers want us to go back and take a look at the numbers, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
“I think we’ve got to go sharpen our pencils,” said Huntley Stone, Region 9 chairman. “I’m disappointed, not shocked.”
As far as the operating budget, Mr. Stone said, the board will “have to make some difficult decisions that will lead to some painful results,” but “we’ll get it done.”
School administrators for Joel Barlow High School were given a “heads up” to start thinking about reducing their budget even before Tuesday’s referendum, he said.
“They were prepared for this, but you can only pull so many rabbits out of your hat.”
As to the fields spending request, “That got creamed,” Mr. Stone said.
“We’ll learn from this, though,” he added. “Maybe we didn’t get enough information out, but we need improvement at that school. We’ll figure something out — it’s just too bad for the kids.”
Region 9 already has a special meeting for Wednesday, May 14. Mr. Stone predicts the budget will be on the agenda.
David Lewson, Redding school board chairman, said it was “gratifying” for him to hear from voters who turned down the town budget, that they did “strongly support” the school budget.
Mr. Lewson said he “heard and understood” the concerns expressed by voters regarding the potential tax increase.
“I do fear that any further cuts we make from the school budget will have a negative impact on class sizes and educational programs,” Mr. Lewson said. “We pledge to do our best to minimize the negative effects for our students, but clearly it is a difficult challenge that we face.”
The Redding school board is meeting Tuesday, May 13, at John Read Middle School to discuss specifics of the budget cuts requested from the finance board.
The Board of Selectmen is meeting on Monday, May 19, and will then set the next referendum date. In the past, the Region 9 board has coordinated its revised budget vote for the same time.
Pilot Editor Susan Wolf contributed to this story.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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