Town Budget 'Not Perfect' But Easily Passes

Voters accepted the proposed 2012-13 budget at the annual referendum vote on Tuesday. 

“I’m happy to see the budget passed overwhelmingly,” said First Selectman Michael Freda, who endorsed the budget’s zero percent tax increase. “We’re going to continue to move forward in a positive, productive, and professional way.” 

Voter turnout was 6.2 percent, low compared with past years; 755 voted yes, 180 voted no, out of an electorate of over 15,000. 

Earlier in the day, Liz Logan, moderator at Green Acres Elementary School in District 4, said that “compared with big elections, this is a low turnout.”

Despite the lackluster voter numbers, some locals did take the opportunity to voice their opinion. Kevin Flanagan of Coach Drive voted yes at Clintonville Elementary School in District 5.

“We just think it was a fair budget,” said Flanagan, with his family in tow.

State Representative Dave Yaccarino (R-87) also voted yes. He said that the no tax increase policy will benefit seniors on a fixed income, but expressed concern over how the budget will affect education.

“It’s not perfect, but we deal with that,” he said.

Part of the budget plan is the removal of five special education teachers. He added that although he “totally disagrees” with the teacher layoffs, “it’s nothing against the first selectman.”

Representative Yaccarino also said that North Haven is slated to receive $121,000 in state education aid.

The new fiscal year begins July 1.

Information provided by Bill Dillane of NHTV showed that last year’s budget referendum vote brought out 12 percent of voters, with 59 percent voting yes. In 2010, the budget failed to pass the first time by 1,150 votes, with 22 percent voter turnout. The budget passed the second time around 55 percent to 45 percent and with a 26 percent voter turnout.