Referendum Vote Slow But Steady By Early Afternoon

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.

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.  

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