SEYMOUR – Voters will cast ballots next month on the annual town budget for fiscal year 2022 – 2023.
While the Board of Finance is still in the midst of budget deliberations, and have yet to approve a budget (the board has until April 1 to submit a budget estimate and mill rate to the Town Clerk), a series of referendum dates were scheduled by the Board of Selectmen this week.
The first budget vote is set for 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 28 at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St. If either the town or school budgets fail on the first attempt, a second referendum will be held May 12. And if a third or fourth referendum is necessary, voters will head back to the polls May 26 and June 9, respectively. All voting takes place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Community Center.
In Seymour, voters cast separate ballots for the town and school budgets.
While there is no definitive bottom line yet, First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis presented a proposed $61.9 million budget to the finance board March 7, which includes $36.5 million for the Board of Education and $25.3 million for the town side. Drugonis’ proposal represents a slight increase to the tax rate of .78 mills, and she expects that number will go even lower before a final budget goes to voters.
The finance board, once it approves a budget, will schedule a public hearing and the annual town budget meeting, prior to the referendum vote.
Drugonis, during this week’s Board of Selectmen meeting (March 15) also announced plans to blitz residents with information about all the important budget meetings and referendum dates.
“In response to complaints I received last year about people not knowing there was a budget vote, I heard you loud and clear,” Drugonis said. “I have ordered 12 budget referendum signs, will send postcards to each resident with the budget referendum dates and will send a CODE RED (phone alert) notifying the public of when the vote is happening.”
Drugonis will also post information on the town’s Facebook page and will notify local media, as well, about all things budget-related. Last year’s budget vote drew a dismally low turnout, with just 4.6 percent of the town’s 11,300+ registered voters casting ballots.
More information about the annual budget can be found on the town’s website:
