Traffic Safety Concerns Expressed—

Super Tuesday Primary Prompts Enrollment Session

By John Voket

Local voting officials are ramping up for the “Super Tuesday” primary vote. To ensure everyone who is qualified has the opportunity to vote in the Connecticut’s Presidential Preference Primaries, the Newtown Registrars of Voters will conduct an enrollment session Tuesday, January 22, between noon and 2 pm in the Edmond Town Hall at 45 Main Street.

Republican Registrar Karin Aurelia reminds voters that only registered Republicans may vote in the Republican primary, and only registered Democrats may vote in the Democratic Primary.

“Anyone not registered in a party and wishing to vote should submit a voter registration form as soon as possible,” Ms Aurelia said. “The forms are available at our office, at the town clerk’s office, or click on www.sots.ct.gov to download election and voter registration forms.”

She said absentee ballot application are also available on the same state website.

The registrars met with School Superintendent Janet Robinson this week to work on plans ensuring the safety of students who will be in schools sanctioned as voting locations on February 5. The officials also reviewed potential traffic issues for that day.

Dr Robinson and the registrars are urging parents to put their children on the bus February 5.

“The Reed Intermediate School is causing the biggest concern for traffic problems,” Ms Aurelia said. “The front parking lot will be reserved for voter parking only, and there will not be any provision for student drop off or pick up there on February 5.”

She said the front door will be locked and there will not be any access to the school from the front of the building to ensure the students safety on Primary Day.

“Any students who have to be driven to school that day will not be able to be dropped off until 8:20 am in the rear of the building, and only after the buses have passed through,” the registrar added. “Students will not be allowed to be dropped off alongside of the buses due to safety concerns.”

Afternoon pickup will be in the rear of the school after 3 pm, after all the buses have passed through the school parking area.

Democratic Registrar LeReine Frampton, who is also a bus operator, advised the safest thing for parents that day is to put students on the bus.

The traffic pattern at Newtown Middle School will be the same as during a referendum. “The front horseshoe will be closed, and any student who is driven to school that day will have to be driven to the back of the cafeteria to be dropped off,” Ms Frampton said.

For those going to Head O’ Meadow School, the parking lots to the immediate right and left are for school purposes, while the area straight ahead and to the rear will be reserved exclusively for voter parking, she said.

Middle Gate School is no longer a polling place, she added. Those who formerly voted at Middle Gate School will now vote at the Edmond Town Hall Gym.

Any questions regarding Primary Day activities and parking issues should be directed to the registrars office at 270-4250.