Canton voters defeated the garage proposal but passed the roads and budget questions at referendum Wednesday.
In all 1,265 people voted, just a little more than 18 percent of the 6,960 qualified electors.
Vote tallies were as follows:
1. Shall The Town Of Canton Appropriate $5,400,000 For Acquisition Of The Site For And Design, Construction And Equipping Of A Municipal Highway Garage; And Authorize The Issue Of Bonds And Notes In The Same Amount To Finance The Appropriation?
Yes: 454
No: 814
2. "Shall The Town Of Canton Appropriate $6,000,000 For Roadway And Drainage Improvements And Rehabilitation; And Authorize The Issue Of Bonds And Notes In The Same Amount To Finance The Appropriation?
Yes: 985
No: 285
3. “Shall The Board Of Finance’s Recommended Budget For Fiscal Year 2013/2014 In The Amount Of $35,048,745 Be Approved?”
Yes: 928
No: 337
The garage issue has been a tense one since mid March.
On March 6, selectmen authorized Chief Administrative Officer Robert Skinner to enter into a purchase and sale agreement for 325 Commerce Drive.
On March 14, selectmen voted to recommend the project, then 5.9 million, to the Board of Finance. More than 2 dozen residents spoke strongly against it, most from the Griswold Farms development further up the mountain from the proposed site.
Residents spoke of concerns that included aesthetics, environment, safety and property values.
After that, opponents focused nearly exclusively on price and a political action committee, Citizens or a Better Canton, was formed. Although its chairman Chris Budnick and at least one other officer do not live in Griswold Farms, some still accused the opposition of a Not In My Backyard mentality.
A "fact sheet" produced by the group, drawing comparisons to area facilities, only furthered tensions, with garage opponents saying it clearly showed Canton's facility was priced much too high and proponents accusing the group of misrepresenting the facts and leaving out key information.
Wednesday night, Budnick said, "enough has been said. A new garage is going to be built and it's going to be built at a better price and in a way everyone can agree on."
Others, however, had stronger words. Kevin Jackson, a vocal opponent, who happens to be chairman of the economic development agency, said he would prepare a longer statement but said, "They got what they deserved."
First Selectman Richard Barlow offered several thoughts.
"I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the work the Permanent Municipal Building Committee has done of the project," he said. "I think they brought a viable and appropriate project that would have met the town's needs."
Barlow also said he had several concerns, including the CFBC document, which he accused of "presenting misinformation on the project in its comparison to the Public Works garages in the area."
Barlow said he also felt it misleading that the group made comments and sent out an email mentioning school funding.
"While our schools get pinched and organizations like the PTO work themselves to the bone to raise money to help our kids, our town’s leadership looks to push this fiscally irresponsible project through referendum," one email from the group partially stated.
An operating budget is a completely different thing than bonding for a project, Barlow said. In addition, there was no significant public comment during the budget process or concerted push from resident asking for more education funding, Barlow said.
Barlow also had harsh words for a weekly newspaper that stated the tax impact of the garage project on the "average" taxpayer over fiscal year 2014-2015 as $105 a month rather than $105 for the year. Barlow felt the paper should have sent a hard copy retraction to every home before the vote and also said a editorial from the paper only considered "inaccurate accounts."
The paper's editor declined comment.
Thursday morning Public Works Director Robert Martin, said "We're disappointed. "We're thankful for the hard work that was put into this but at the end of the day we're still moving forward in relocating our garage."
Barlow said it's too early to determine what happens next but said it will be discussed by selectmen, town officials and the building committee.
3:10 p.m. update
Despite much controversy over the proposed Public Works garage, just 500 or roughly 7 percent of the town's 6,960 electors had voted in Wednesday's referendum as of 1:15 pm.
Voters are considering a $5.4 million public works facility project, $6 million in road work and the town's proposed $35 million budget.
If the rate of voting stays the same that would equal 14 percent.
Shortly after 3 p.m. the number was 686.
"We hope more people turn out soon," Republican moderator Lorinda Pane said.
9 a.m update
Shortly before 9 am, 162 of 6,960 qualified electors had voted in the town's referendum.
That is about 2.3 percent.
Original story
As town electors vote in a referendum at Town Hall Wednesday, May 22, 2013, Patch will bring you results in this article as soon as they are available. Format will be similar to the following:
1. Shall The Town Of Canton Appropriate $5,400,000 For Acquisition Of The Site For And Design, Construction And Equipping Of A Municipal Highway Garage; And Authorize The Issue Of Bonds And Notes In The Same Amount To Finance The Appropriation?
Yes: XXX
No: XXXX
2. "Shall The Town Of Canton Appropriate $6,000,000 For Roadway And Drainage Improvements And Rehabilitation; And Authorize The Issue Of Bonds And Notes In The Same Amount To Finance The Appropriation?
Yes: XXXX
No: XXXXXX
3. “Shall The Board Of Finance’s Recommended Budget For Fiscal Year 2013/2014 In The Amount Of $35,048,745 Be Approved?”
Yes: XXXXX
No: XXXXXX
Voting takes place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Town Hall, 4 Market St., Collinsville.
During the day, we will also provide a few photos and periodic updates about voter turnout.
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