Upcoming information sessions are aimed to inform voters of a community center proposal on the ballot of an April 5 referendum. Referendum polls will be open to the public from 6 am to 8 pm at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, and a special absentee voting session is set for Saturday, April 2, 9 am to noon, at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street.

Several independent efforts scheduled to reach residents about the project - a facility of some 43,000 square feet comprised of two main features, including at least 13,000 square feet of flexible, programmable space for general community use and an aquatics component with two pools, a lap pool of up to 50 meters and a zero-entry pool.

The town hosted a briefing on March 29, the first of several programs being offered to residents who want clarification on the proposal.

Newtown's Commission on Aging is conducting a series of four forums and information exchanges that began on March 30. The "seniors and boomers" of Newtown are invited to additional sessions to clarify any confusion regarding the community center proposal and referendum, according to Commission Chairman Curt Symes.

The first two sessions were conducted March 30.

COA will continue to offer 30-minute programs on Thursday, March 31, at 7 pm, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; and Saturday, April 2, at 11 am, at NYA Sports & Fitness Center, 4 Primrose Street.

The Newtown Community Center Commission has also announced info sessions, beginning with an opportunity for residents to meet and speak with commissioners tonight. NCCC members will be at Edmond Town, Hall, 45 Main Street, from 6 to 9 pm.

The commission's info sessions will continue on Friday, April 1, 2 to 5 pm, again at Edmond Town Hall; on Saturday, April 2, from 9 am to 4 pm at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street; and again on Monday, April 4, from 6 to 9 pm, at Edmond Town Hall.

According to the Community Center Commission's final proposal, the planned community center facility would be located on the Fairfield Hills campus, adjacent to NYA. Site work, parking, and support features such as locker rooms, offices, and bathrooms are included in the project.

A $15 million gift from The GE Foundation will support the project, and at least five years of operational expenses.

The referendum is a chance for residents to authorize or reject a $14.55 million special appropriation, along with a $5 million bond authorization for the planning, design, and construction of a Newtown Community Center.

That spending plan includes $9.45 million remaining in a gift from General Electric that was provided to the town following 12/14, specifically to create a new community center. That money will be combined with $5 million already approved in the Capital Improvement Plan in the current fiscal year, also earmarked for a community center project.