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Absentee Ballots Available For Newtown Budget Referendum

By John Voket

Published: Apr 09, 2016 12:00 am

Newtown Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia Halstead has announced that absentee ballots are available for the 2016-17 Budget Referendum, and can be picked up or completed during office hours Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm, through Monday, April 25.

The Town Clerk's office will also have Special Absentee Voting Hours on Saturday, April 23, from 9 am to noon.

Pursuant to Conn. General Statutes Sec. 7-6, any person who is a registered voter in the Town of Newtown, or who is a US citizen assessed for at least $1,000 for Real Estate or Motor Vehicles on the 2015 Grand List for the Town of Newtown, is qualified to vote at the Referendum.

Any qualified person who meets any of the following criteria may vote by absentee ballot:

*Active service in the Armed Forces;

*Absence from the Town during all the hours of voting;

*Illness;

Physical disability;

*Religious tenets which forbid secular activity on the day of the Referendum, or;

*Duties as a Referendum official at a polling place other than your own during all hours of voting.

Any person who is eligible to vote by absentee ballot may apply in person or by mail to the Town Clerk of Newtown.

Absentee ballots must be returned in person to the Town Clerk by 4:30 pm Monday, April 25, or by mail before the closing of the polls on Referendum day - 8 pm on April 26.

The Referendum will be held on Tuesday, April 26 from 6 am to 8 pm at 11 Queen Street, in the Newtown Middle School Gymnasium. Absentee ballots will be counted that day at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street at 5pm in the Registrars Office.

Voters and residents may direct any questions to Town Clerk's Office at 203-270-4210. The language on the 2016 Newtown Budget Ballot is as follows:

Shall the sum of $40,517,314 be appropriated as the budget for the Board of Selectmen for the fiscal year?

Yes ______ No ______

Shall the sum of $73,665,065 be appropriated for the budget for the Board of Education for the fiscal year?

Yes ______ No ______

ADVISORY QUESTIONS:

Do you deem the proposed sum of $40,517,314 to be appropriated for the Board of Selectmen as "too low"?

Yes ______ No ______

Do you deem the proposed sum of $73,665,065 to be appropriated for the Board of Education as "too low"?

Yes ______ No ______

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Thank you LeReine, for speaking out about this. The list of public servants who are unfairly targeted for abuse just for doing their jobs has been growing. It is a testament to the power of propaganda that otherwise good and well-meaning people can get so emotional as to act out in this way.

Discusses Role As Registrar

While I respect the outcome of the referendum, I’m disappointed by the way this budget was presented and passed. A 6.72% tax increase and a mill rate jump to 28.78 may have been framed as “just a few dollars a day,” but for many families in town — especially those already stretched thin — those “few dollars” add up quickly. It’s frustrating to see large increases minimized in this way, and I worry that next year we’ll hear, “It’s only a little more than last year,” as if that justifies an ongoing trend of rising taxes. This year’s combined municipal and education budgets total over $141 million — that’s a significant sum.

Everything Passes: Budgets, Capital Projects Referendum Results In

All of the referendums deserve to be pasted. We have a history of deferring needed maintenance and then paying more years later. These are required to keep our town owned building and roads in working condition.

Vote “Yes” To Question #5 On Referendum

Every vote matters and that’s exactly why it’s important to recognize that voting No on a proposed budget is not a vote against Newtown, but rather a vote for accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. Last year, when voters rejected the education budget in its first round, it wasn’t just a symbolic gesture—it resulted in a reduced spending plan that ultimately passed. That outcome showed that our voices can and do make a difference. Voting “No” is one of the few tools residents have to encourage our town leaders to re-evaluate spending, find creative solutions, and prioritize needs over wants. So yes, please vote on April 22—but don’t be afraid to vote “No” if you believe we can do better. Last year’s vote proved that when residents speak up, real changes can follow.

Get Out And Vote

Breaking the tax increase down to a “cost per day” may make it sound more palatable, but it minimizes the real impact these increases have—especially on those already struggling with rising costs across the board. A dollar here and a dollar there adds up, and for many families, it's not just about the price of a cup of coffee—it's about stretching every dollar to cover groceries, fuel, healthcare, and housing. A 6.72% property tax increase is significant, regardless of how it’s framed. Saying “it’s only $1.13 a day” overlooks the fact that for some residents, every expense matters. Just because costs are rising doesn’t mean the burden should automatically fall on taxpayers without exploring real efficiencies, cost savings, or long-term planning. We need to prioritize fiscal responsibility and find smarter ways to manage our town’s needs without assuming residents can or should absorb another round of tax hikes.

Is Our Community Worth $1.67 Per Day?

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Absentee Ballots Available For Newtown Budget Referendum

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