Wilton Voters Decide on Budget, Bonding Issues

WILTON, CT — Voters overwhelming approved the 2019-20 budget and all four capital bonding proposals, as a low turnout of residents made their way to the ballot box on Saturday.

In the vote on the budget, which began following the annual Town Meeting at the Clune Center earlier this week and concluded there on Saturday, 892 voted "yes," 395 voted "no too high," and 40 voted "no too low."

The total operating budget for both municipal and school plans approved by voters is $126,787,380, representing zero percent increases for both. Based upon this budget, the mill new rate will be 28.5373, a 1.24 percent increase over last year.

Total voter participaation was just under 11 percent, which meant that even had voters rejected the budget it still would have passed. Budgets need at least a 15 percent turnout for anything other than a "yes" vote to stick.

Non-budget items are not so constrained, but the four bonding items on the ballot this week would have passed regardless. Final tally, as provided by the Wilton Registrars of Voters, is:

• Road and Parking Lot Restoration: 1,077 "Yes," 239 "No"
• Town Hall Roof Replacement: 1,093 "Yes," 226 "No"
• School District Roof Replacement: 1,112 "Yes," 209 "No"
• Bridge Replacement Program: 1,054 "Yes," 262 "No"