Knickerbocker "Sad" About Outcome of Defeated Town Budget

First selectman Matthew Knickerbocker told Patch Thursday evening that he is "extremely disappointed" and "sad" on the outcome of the Town budget vote.

"It should've passed easily but was defeated by 315 votes," he said. Knickerbocker blames low voter turnout for the outcome. "People didn't come to the polls." Voter turnout percentages were not immediately available.

Knickerbocker speculated that the possible "No Bridge, No Budget" message perpetrated on social media forums last week may have spread "misinformation." The reference made by a handful of Bethel residents was directed at the length of time it took for the Walnut Hill bridge to be completed. The bridge opened Wednesday after nearly a year of delays.

"I will say it again. No official, nobody in the Town of Bethel had any management on that project. It was a State [of CT] managed, State [of CT] project. This is a bald faced lie perpetrated over and over. That is a real shame that they're using that lie to get people to vote against [the budget]. This had nothing to do with the bridge and it hurts our Town's ability to provide services we depend on," Knickerbocker said.

It's back to the drawing board in the hands of the Board of Finace now to determine which cuts will need to take place. A Town Meeting and referendum is needed before it goes out to vote again. 

"I expect they will do very serious cutting. What people don't realize is that we'll lose the ability to pave roads," Knickerbocker lamented.

"I'm saddened. I tried to invest in infrastructure that people neglected for years. Past administration neglected roads and building maintenance."

In addition to the problems the first selectman sees with infrastructure, he said the "No" vote will cause other problems. "The tax bills can't go out on time now and the supplemental tax mailing will cost thousands," he added.

Billy Michael told the News Times earlier this week that he wants the budget increase below 2 percent. The News Times reported Michael will lobby against the new proposal. Michael could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.

Will Duff, a "Vote No" advocate, did not want to approve the budget due to a nearly 6% pay increase it would have given to the first selectman.

He said on his Facebook page May 13: "I am voting "No, too high" on this year's Town budget. I do not support giving a 5.9% raise to our first selectman for failing to get the bridge built. Nor will I reward our first selectman with an extra $4,700.00 a year for trying to sell our reservoirs and Bethel water supply to Aquarion Water. I am asking all my fellow citizens to join with me and "Vote No" on this year's town budget."

Knickerbocker said the Board of Finance proposed the pay increase adding, "I didn't ask for a raise and don't care that I didn't get a raise but I'm glad they want the first selectman to be paid well. To take this job for a two year term is a very risky thing to do for someone in management."

Knickerbocker added the new budget proposal would have also given the Town Clerk a raise, in addition to himself, and said: "Nobody complained that our Town Clerk [would] get a raise. This is purely political."

Bergh stated the proposed raise would not have been a personal raise based on performance. The position was surveyed as being 15% lower than other Town Clerks in area and less than assistants in Town Hall, according to Bergh.

***Knickerbocker explained that the Board of Finance proposed the salary increases for key town positions and that the Town Clerk deserves to be compensated well for her hard work.***

He added that he expects the Board of Finance will meet next week to discuss budget cuts and the new budget proposal should go out to vote at the end of June.


[UPDATE 6/12/14, 10:06 p.m.]: 2,669 registered voters came out to vote Thursday. 1,177 voted yes. 1,492 voted no.

[Correction 6/12/14 10:40 p.m.]: The original article stated Knickerbocker said Town Clerk Lisa Bergh recently received a raise, however, Bergh said she did not get a raise. Had the Town budget passed, both Knickerbocker and Bergh would have both gotten a raise. However, since the budget did not pass, neither got a raise. The article has been edited to reflect the correction.

***[Additional comments added by Matt Knickerbocker, 6/12/14, 11:53 p.m.]