New Canaan Referendum Vote on Wednesday, June 2 from 12 Noon until 8:00 PM at New Canaan High School
You are hereby notified that pursuant to Section C4-15 of the Town Charter, a Referendum for electors and qualifying taxpayers, in accordance with Section 7-6 and 9-369 et. seq. of the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut, will be held at the New Canaan High School, 11 Farm Road, New Canaan, Connecticut on June 2, 2021 from 12 Noon until 8:00 pm.
Face masks must be worn at the polling location.
Paper Ballots and Tabulators will be used and the vote shall be on the following question:
Absentee ballots are available now at the Town Clerk's office.
Dated at New Canaan, Connecticut, this 18 day of May, 2021.
The Referendum question is:
“Shall the action of the Town Council, at its March 31, 2021 meeting, which did not reduce the Board of Education budget by $463,337, be overruled and returned to the Board of Finance for reconsideration?”
Background:
On March 25, Town Council member Mr. Mauro made a motion, seconded by Ms. Naughton "to reduce the Board of Education Operating and Health Insurance Budget by $463,337 for the purpose of further study and review of the school start time." The motion failed.
What are the effects of a “Yes” or “No” vote?
- A “YES” vote overrules the Town Council action and returns the $463,337 to the Board of Finance for consideration.
- A “NO” vote affirms the Town Council vote and keeps the Board of Education budget as approved by the Town Council without any changes.
A “Yes” vote, depending on the action of the Board of Finance, could result in a reduction of the overall Board of Education budget by up to $463,337 but would not legally prevent the Board of Education from implementing the new school start times. Under Connecticut law, the Board of Education independently controls how it spends its total approved budget and what policies it will enact, such as school start times. Therefore, the Board of Education may, in its sole discretion, choose to revisit the question of school start times, but is not obligated to do so as a result of this referendum.
Who is allowed to vote?
- Electors in the Town of New Canaan (residents who are registered to vote in New Canaan).
- Qualifying taxpayers. A qualifying taxpayer is a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, who jointly or severally is liable to the town for taxes assessed against him/her on an assessment of not less than $1,000 on the last completed Grand List, and is not a registered voter in New Canaan.
What are the number of votes required for a repeal or overrule by referendum?
A negative action of the Town Council shall not be overruled, unless the number of votes in favor of the overrule shall be a majority of those voting and equal to at least 15% of the number of electors of the Town as determined by the last completed registry list.
Learn more here.