Town Hall, Sports Facility Rejected By South Windsor Voters

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Three controversial referendum items were overwhelmingly rejected by South Windsor voters Tuesday, including a pair of proposals related to town hall.

Preliminary results released by Town Clerk Bonnie Armstrong Wednesday morning indicate nearly 84 percent of voters were against the $5.4 million purchase and renovation of the former United Bank building at 1645 Ellington Rd., with intentions of converting it into a new town hall.

An item authorizing $1.3 million to renovate the current town hall at 1540 Sullivan Ave. was also turned down by about 58 percent of the voters, while a plan to construct a $3.9 million sports facility in Nevers Park was denied by just over 71 percent.

Two of the five referendum items passed fairly easily. A $9.3 million expenditure to repair roofs at Timothy Edwards Middle School, the community center and the public works department, as well as reconstruction work on Pleasant Valley and Buckland roads, was approved by about 65 percent of the voters. A $500,000 proposal to renovate the women's locker room at the South Windsor Police Department received approval from about 63 percent.

Resident Dawn Holcombe wrote on social media, "The stadium proposal sank itself by being so rushed, untransparent, and most of all, planned for a location in the heart of our towns most loved and accessible walking nature sanctuary, which would destroy the serenity and wildlife ecosystem for all."

Town Manager Michael Maniscalco told Patch, "I am very glad that everyone had the opportunity to have a say and vote on all of the questions. It is our job to put the possibilities out there and to follow the directions of the voters."

Preliminary vote totals by district may be found here.

To register for free South Windsor breaking news alerts and more, click here.