Politics & Government
Referendum Vote Slow But Steady By Early Afternoon
Issues to keep in mind when voting in today's referendum.
Bethel voters are voting today on the referendum to decide the fate of the building known as Old Town Hall, on the corner of School St and Library Place.
The building, which has not served the town in any capacity for several years, had most recently been used as the town’s teen center, but was shut down due to unsafe conditions including lead pipes and asbestos.
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When s that would result in today’s referendum.
The petition was not simply about a building and a town’s use for it. Instead, like other recent referendums throughout the greater Danbury area, the people who signed the petition want such decisions to rest with them.
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There is concern that today's vote may be complicated by the ballot, which according to First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker, must legally reflect the language on the petition. The wording instead reflects whether or not to overturn the Board of Selectman's vote. A yes vote keeps the building, a no vote will see it torn down.
Whether or not the building will be voted to stay or come down, the decision is now the voters’ to make.
With only 10% of Bethel’s voters having shown up at the polls by 1 p.m., it remains to be seen just how important the building is to the town, and how important the vote is to the people.
Voter Turn-out
Total voters in Bethel 10,960
District 1 Total Voters 1367
Voted by 1 p.m 106
District 2 Total Voters 2,523
Voted by 1 p.m 243
District 3 Total Voters 3,915
Voted by 1 p.m 492
District 4 Total Voters 2656
Voted by 1 p.m 241
District 5 Total Voters 492
Voted by 1 p.m. 61
Voting Districts
Municipal Center, District 1 and 4
Berry School, Districts 3 and 5
Stony Hill Fire House District 2
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