July 16 -- Voters today approved two budget items that had been previously rejected in the town's May budget referendum. The items, which had been rejected by the narrowest of margins in the previous vote, fund purchase of the driving range at the golf course and a series of repairs to Parks and Recreation facilities.
Photo left: Moderator Al Baker reads the tally from a voting machine as Selectman Mike Jones (right) witnesses.
Voters approved $82,000 to repair safety hazards at the Yanity Gym, Veteran's Park field, and other Parks and Recreation facilities. Also approved was $450,000 to purchase land adjacent to the town golf course for use as a driving range. Both items were approved by 63% of the votes cast today, a striking turnaround from the May referendum when similar proposals were rejected by a less than 1% margin.
Photo: Following the tallying of the vote of approval, a Town Meeting was held to record the approval of the expenditures. (From left) Selectmen Barbara Manners, Peter Yanity, and Mike Jones join First Selectman Abe Morelli in making the budget approvals official.
Town officials were disappointed by today's low turnout --- only 1360 people voted, less than 10% of the town's registered. By contrast, the May Budget Referendum drew nearly 25% of the town's voters.
The Golf Course measure was approved 851 to 507. The Parks and Recreation appropriation received 854 "yes" votes to 507 "no's." The irony of the revote was that in May, about 1,700 townspeople voted against measures containing the driving range and Parks and Rec expenditures. In today's vote, a mere 850 voters were able to reverse the prior result and approve the expenditures. This turn of events is certain to increase citizen concern and cynicism about the Town's budgeting process.
Photo: Democratic Registrar of Voters Pat Baker, Republican Registrar Pauline Moylan, and Town Clerk Barbara Serfilippi record the tally as the voting machine counters are read
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