Residents rejected all three aspects of a capital plan that sought to borrow money to do everything from purchasing emergency equipment to making repairs at various town buildings.
The vote:
$1.36 million for emergency services equipment
Yes: 427
No: 485
$407,000 for town buildings
Yes: 395
No: 513
$428,000 for high school bleachers, other items
Yes: 277
No: 631
Click the video to hear First Selectman Paul Roy’s reaction to the defeat.
Less than 1,000 people out of about 10,000 people voted Tuesday.
The Board of Selectmen, controlled by Democrats, will come up with another capital plan to bring before the Board of Finance, controlled by Republicans.
Whatever one reads into the defeat of the capital plan, it is probably not a reflection on the first selectman himself, said W. Kurt Miller, a Republican on the Board of Selectmen who expects to announce his candidacy in March to challenge Roy for the town’s top elected officer.
Miller said during an interview earlier in the day the defeat would probably be a reflection of how people may want to make some improvements, but are not pleased about the way to pay for them.
But it must be a disappointment for Roy, Miller acknowledged.
“It’s certainly a hit to him, because it was his plan,” Miller said.
The items on the ballot included about $407,000 in town building improvements, some of which is aimed at energy efficiency. There was also $428,000 to replace Seymour High School bleachers, with related improvements and equipment.
The single largest element of the capital plan was $1.36 million to purchase emergency services equipment, including self contained breathing apparatus for the fire department, emergency response vehicles, a rescue truck for Citizens Engine Co., and communication equipment at the Police Department.
A capital plan is a list of expensive projects the town wants to fund.
The plans usually prioritize the projects looking forward several years. The money comes from selling municipal bonds.
The turnout was low all day, despite robo calls to all homeowners on Monday, reminding them of the vote.
