Ansonia voters rejected a proposal to reduce the number of wards and aldermen in the city by fewer than 50 votes Tuesday.
A ballot question asking voters whether the city should go from seven political wards to three — and reduce the membership of the Board of Aldermen from 14 to nine — failed by a vote of 2,248 to 2,199, according to unofficial results from the city’s registrars of voters.
Three other ballot questions with proposals to change the city’s charter, which essentially acts as a blueprint for how local government is structured and run, passed by wide margins.
Click here for a previous story with more background on the proposals.
Ward Reduction Fails
The first question asked voters whether to reduce the number of wards citywide to three. Currently, there are seven wards. The question also asked whether the city should reduce its Board of Aldermen from 14 members — two each from seven wards — to nine members — three each from three wards. It failed by 49 votes.
Registrars of voters Nancy Valentine and Thomas Maffeo, who suggested the ward reduction measure to the Charter Revision Commission this year, said they were disappointed with the results, but not devastated.
“I think we’re going to sit tight on this and talk to the people in our parties and see what direction they’d like to take,” Maffeo said.
Other Questions Approved
The next charter revision question asked whether the city should change its budget process to give Aldermen the final say on city spending. Currently, the Board of Apportionment and Taxation, members of which are appointed, decides the city’s budget.
Voters approved the question by a vote of 3,358 to 1,075.
A third question asked voters to approve or reject clarifications to the charter regarding the duties of the mayor and Board of Aldermen.
Voters approved that question by a vote of 3,092 to 1,325.
The last question asked voters to OK grammar, spelling, terminology and outdated references to state laws and other parts of the charter.
Voters approved the question 3,514 to 913.
Turnout citywide was 4,858 of 9,386 registered voters, or about 51.8 percent.
Reaction
Mayor David Cassetti said he was “very encouraged” by the results of the votes on the questions regarding the budget process and the mayor’s powers.
“I campaigned last year for change and that’s what I’m doing,” Cassetti said.
In the run-up to the vote, some Democrats worried the revisions would give the mayor too much power.
Cassetti said the mayor is the CEO of the city, and the charter should reflect that.
The city’s corporation counsel, John Marini, said the budget changes show voters believe “elected officials (should) be accountable for setting the budget and finances for the city.”
“It’s a very big step and i think it shows a progressive tendency by the voters,” Marini said.
Cassetti’s office sent a press release to reporters Wednesday saying the mayor is “extremely pleased” with the referendum results:
For the first time in Ansonia’s history, elected officials will be responsible for approving the annual budget and the Mayor will have the obligation to submit a “Mayor’s Budget” to kick off the yearly budget process.
“This is a tremendous victory for the residents of Ansonia and supporters of accountability in government,” said Mayor Cassetti.” “It creates a strong system of checks and balances that will promote financial responsibility in the future,” said Cassetti in the statement.
“Ansonia voters should be credited with taking a giant sized step towards modernizing their government and breaking from the ways of back-door politics and behind-the-scenes deals,” said City Attorney John Marini.
“I am glad that voters had the opportunity to have their voices heard on these important changes to City government,” said Mayor Cassetti. “The great American tradition of self-governance is alive and well in Ansonia,” he said.
“I would also like the congratulate the Charter Revision Commission for all of their hard work and the firm of Berchem, Moses and Devlin for their expert legal assistance.”
