Referendum Tuesday on Town Budget: Vote at Henry James Memorial School

The town will hold a referendum Tuesday, May 5, on the proposed $98.5 million town budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a 1.1 percent spending increase, but a slight reduction in the tax rate, according to the Hartford Courant.

First Selectmen Lisa Heavner told the newspaper that she’s proud of the budget because it maintains ”core quality services” in a cost-effective way. The town website has a sample ballot for the referendum questions here.

Voting takes place from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Henry James Memorial School, 155 Firetown Rd. The Board of Finance will meet at 8:30 p.m. at the school to discuss the referendum results. This Web page on the town website has links to more information on the budget.

These are the ballot questions:

1. Shall the appropriation recommended and approved by the Board of Finance for the purposes of paying the expenses of the BOARD OF SELECTMEN annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, be approved and implemented in the amount of $18,867,969?

2. Shall the appropriation recommended and approved by the Board of Finance for the purposes of paying the expenses of the BOARD OF EDUCATION annual budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, be approved and implemented in the amount of $66,453,005?

3. Shall the appropriation recommended and approved by the Board of Finance for the purposes of paying the expenses of Sewer Use Fund (Sewer Treatment Plant), Residential Rental Properties, Simsbury Farms/Special Programs, Non-public Schools, Debt Retirement/Capital and Capital Non-recurring annual budgets for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, be approved and implemented in the amount of $13,257,653?

4. Shall the Town of Simsbury appropriate $1,100,000 for improvements to the Simsbury Farms skating rink and pools and authorize bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?

5. Shall the Town of Simsbury appropriate $2,150,000 for installation of climate control improvements to Simsbury High School, Henry James Memorial School, Central School, Latimer Lane School, Squadron Line School, Tariffville School, and Tootin’ Hills School and authorize bonds and notes in the same amount to finance said appropriation?