Clinton Voters Unanimously Endorse Four Issues

CLINTON--- Tuesday night's Special Town Meeting in Clinton could be remembered by the hashtag #cordial&unanimous.

A large crowd voted unanimously and loudly, approving the proposed ordinance prohibiting the storage, disposal or use of waste from oil and gas explorations or extraction activities in the town of Clinton. The anti-fracking waste matter heads now for a ballot vote May 17 from 12 noon to 8 p.m. in the Clinton Town Clerk's office. If passed, Clinton will join more than 40 Connecticut municipalities that have banned fracking waste. The measure has failed to gain momentum at the state level, with the General Assembly not addressing the matter for more than four years.

Concern over the storage and transport of anti-fracking waste in Clinton has been expressed at several well attended Inland Wetlands Commission public hearings this spring.

On another matter, an NBC television crew was present to film what was expected to be a controversy over the approval of using $129,950 from the town's undesignated fund balance toward the purchase of a new police marine patrol boat. Spirited debate on social media about the need for such a vessel did not play out in the Town Hall Auditorium, with just two speakers addressing the crowd, both in favor of applying funds to the new boat purchase. Police Commission chair Peter Niles and Jane Welch supported the replacement of the current boat, which has been in and out of the shop for costly repairs. Ultimately, voters endorsed the transfer unanimously on a voice vote, with only one opposing the purchase, Selectman Carol Walters.

Also approved by unanimous vote was a transfer of $20,000 from the Elliot School roof account to the Joel School roof project and the acceptance of a $110,000 grant from the Connecticut Port Authority to fund work on the town marina and associated dredging.

Voters assembled for close to an hour in the William Stanton Andrews Memorial Town Hall Auditorium to consider four items. First Selectman Christine Goupil was elected moderator and was assisted by town clerk, Sharon Uriccio.

Clinton voters will return to Town Hall tomorrow, for the annual town and school budget referendums. The polling place is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

PICTURED Defender 25 foot safe boat, 2004, the type CPD seeks to purchase for patrolling town waters