Clinton Residents Reject Town, School Budgets

CLINTON, CT — Clinton residents rejected both the town and Board of Education budgets for fiscal year 2017-18 in Wednesday’s budget referendum. The $17,687,459 town budget failed by a 1,766 to 1,542 vote, according to information provided by Town Clerk Sharon Uricchio.

The proposed $34,745,486 Board of Education budget also failed. The final tally was 1,725 “No” votes compared to 1,578 “Yes” votes. (To sign up for Clinton breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Voters did approve a proposed $7.12 million bond issue for various projects around town. The vote was 1,679 in favor and 1,587 against.

The full referendum question was as follows:

Question #3

Shall the Town of Clinton appropriate $7,120,000 for the cost of the (a) planning, design, construction, reconstruction and repair of various bridges (b) the repair of the ramp and dredging of the Town Dock (c) roofing projects at various schools (d) the construction and reconstruction of sidewalks and (e) repair and/or construction of the Department of Public Works Fuel Farm all in the Town including, all surveys, alterations, repairs and improvements in connection therewith and engineering, architectural and temporary and permanent financing costs related thereto, and authorize the issuance of bonds, notes or other obligations in the amount of $7,120,000 to finance such appropriation.

Voter turnout was 34 percent.

Now that both budgets have failed, another budget referendum is scheduled for May 24.

Correction: An earlier version of this article had an incorrect date listed for the referendum.

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