When the state redistricting panel approved new House and Senate district boundaries based on 2020 census data, that led to some changes on the local level. Bethel First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says some residents will have to go to a different polling location for tomorrow's budget vote. The precinct lines were changed, while the polling locations themselves are the same.
A postcard was sent out to residents with a QR code leading to poll location information.
As proposed, the budget would increase the mill rate in Bethel by about .98 percent. The final mill rate will be established by the Board of Finance following a successful budget referendum. The proposed municipal budget is about $ 34.2 million, which includes the Town Operating Budget, Debt Service and the School’s Building Maintenance account. The proposed Board of Ed budget is about $51.1 million.
The Board of Finance approved the budget on a narrow 4 to 3 vote. The Board of Education budget was presented to residents without cuts, for the first time in several years. During the annual Town Meeting, a motion was made to cut $500,000 in school spending, but it was rejected.
The referendum is April 19th from 6am to 8pm.
