Full Report: After Months of Development, Bethel Residents Get to Vote on the Road Renewal Plan

Bethel voters will finally get to voice their opinion on the town's proposed $2 million Road Renewal Plan next Tuesday, Dec. 7.

The referendum was approved Monday night at a special town meeting held at the  auditorium. The was first proposed by First Selectman Matthew Knickerbocker back in June, and has since been changed to only bond $2 million, . 

Prior to the approval, registered Bethel voters were invited to ask questions to the Board of Selectmen and to further disscuss the plan. 

Of those speakers, Billy Michael was the only resident that did not approve of the plan referendum. "I'm against the bonding for one simple reason: our poor economy at the state and town level," Michael said.

Former First Selectman Alice Hutchinson was one of many residents who spoke in favor of the Road Renewal Plan, but also said that the original bonding of $8.5 million was "a missed opportunity" for not locking onto the current low interest rates.

"I do hope that the voters remember next year that we do need to continue fixing the roads," Hutchinson said. "I just want to bring my support for this; I wish it was more and I hope we can finish it up next year." 

After the discussion period, those present officially voted to adjourn the meeting with the plan going to referendum (and its date and time), which only had a couple dissenters.

Knickerbocker said though his original plan didn't make it to referendum, he was happy of the meeting's outcome and that he is "confident that it will pass."

"I strongly think the $8.5 million was better for the town; it would have given our residents assurance that they wouldn't have to go back again and again through this process," Knickerbocker said. "...I want to assure the residents of Bethel that I am going for the rest of the package for the next budget cycle."

The original plan included fixing a total of 31 miles of road, but since the plan would be bonding $2 million for the upcoming year, Knickerbocker said he will consult with the police, fire and highway departments to choose priority roads if the referendum should pass. He said that official list won't be created until after the vote, though most likely Weed Road and Walnut Hill Road will be included. 

The vote will be held next Tuesday, Dec. 7 from 6 a.m.-8 p.m. at the usual town polling places: the , the  and the . Absentee ballots will be available at the  starting Tuesday, Nov. 30 till Monday, Dec. 6. The office is open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.