This Thursday, Bethel taxpayers return to the polls for the third time.
22% of registered voters participated in the May 15th budget referendum. The Education budget passed by a 14-vote margin. The Town budget passed by a 3-vote margin, triggering a State-mandated recanvassing. This recount reversed 10 “Yes” votes, resulting in a 7-vote margin of defeat.
After the recount, the First Selectman and Town Comptroller presented $230,000 in reductions to the Board of Finance, who approved them. The revised budget was then presented by the First Selectmen and the Town Comptroller at the Town Meeting.
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There are several interesting points here regarding the first referendum and recount:
Considering the relatively small margin of victory on the Education side, we believe that a recount was in order here. Although a 14-vote lead would not mandate a recanvassing, it is within the power of the Moderator to call for a “discretionary recount.”
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For the past few years, St. Mary’s Carnival has been in full swing on the Municipal Center’s lawn on the date of the budget referendum. So, our question is: Why would the Administration propose a referendum date that coincides with this much-loved community event? The inconvenience of limited parking plus the compromised 75-ft perimeter creates multiple obstacles, and makes it difficult for voters in Districts I and IV to access the polls.
Interestingly, the mandated recount showed that ALL the misread ballots occurred in District IV (Municipal Center). These were the votes that changed the result from PASS to FAIL, which supports our point in #1 regarding the discretionary recount of the Education ballots.
Easier voter access to the Municipal Center during the June 12th referendum resulted in increased voter turnout in Districts I and IV. Districts II, III and V voter turnout was higher, but by a much lower percentage. Although this information is anecdotal, it is noteworthy nonetheless.
On June 12th, with increased voter turnout, the Town budget failed by nearly 300 votes. At the subsequent Board of Finance Committee meeting, Town Comptroller Bob Kozlowski proposed $140,000 in deductions from the bottom line. That proposal was summarily rejected, and the Committee chose to go line item by line item. Chairman Bill Kingston set a target of $200,000 in cuts.
In the end, however, just $151,000 was cut – far short of Mr. Kingston’s goal and even further from the $350,000 expected by many voters.
If a budget that is rejected by 7 votes results in a $230,000 spending reduction, then how does a 300-vote budget rejection merit merely $151,000 in cuts? Especially with the higher voter turnout on June 12th compared to May 15th?
Bethel’s First Selectman made sure to remind us that each referendum costs $8 – $10,000. However, this cost is the result of operating three polling places! Our larger neighbor Newtown has more registered voters, yet conducts their budget referenda in one polling location! This is just one example of how Bethel’s current administration suffers from severe self-interest and lack of creativity when it comes to reducing spending.
Strong families are the building blocks of a strong community, Bethel’s elected officials continue to sacrifice the economic stability of local families and businesses to advance government growth. Our pockets are not bottomless piggy banks!
The time to restrain spending is now.
Vote “NO, TOO HIGH” on Thursday, June 26th.
Bethel Action Committee
Cynthia McCorkindale, Chairman
Billy Michael, Treasurer
