Election 2020: $10 Million Bond Issue Passes In Southigton

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Voters in Southington Tuesday overwhelmingly endorsed a $10 million bond issue that is designed to fund the latest round of road paving in town.

The turnout was considerably higher than a normal referendum because the ballot question sat atop a ballot during a presidential election.

The tally was:

• Yes — 17,065
• No — 6,583

The question read:

"Shall the Town of Southington appropriate $10,000,000 for cost related to the 2020-2021 road and bridge improvement program, and authorize the issue of $10,000,000 bonds and notes to finance the appropriation?"

In the fall of 2019, town officials commissioned an extensive pavement study by StreetScan Inc. over all 214 miles of roads in town. A good portion of the roads was deemed to be in excellent condition after investments of $11 million in both 2011 and 2o14. "Many" roads were also deemed to be in poor condition, according to the results.

Town officials said it is "imperative" to stay on on a consistent maintenance schedule, so another $10 million has been proposed. If approved, the bonds would allow the town to "invest $2.5 million per year for four years," town officials said. Interest payments would apply to any bonding.

Other funding sources could add another million to $1.5 million to the project each year, town officials said.

A matrix is used to determine the extent of the work needed on a road from a complete reconstruction to an overlay to milling to chip sealing, etcetera.

Click here to see how many miles have been completed over the previous two projects.