Easton Town, School Budgets Approved; 'Race' Resolution Rejected

EASTON, CT — Residents took to the ballot box on Tuesday and approved the proposed town and school budgets, but rejected the controversial "Easton Resolution on Racism and Public Health."

In unofficial results released by the town about an hour after the polls at Staples Elementary School closed, 1,310 residents voted "yes," and 713 voted "no" on the $46.2 million town operating budget. That spending plan will now go into effect beginning July 1, and run through June 30, 2022.

Voters also accepted a $24.6 million operating budget for the Region 9 School District. Easton's portion of that will be $11.9 million, and Redding's share $12.6 million. The budget covers July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. Easton voters approved the spending plan 1,313 to 715. Redding votes ran in favor 837 to 282.

The Easton Resolution on Racism and Public Health, which would formally designate racism as a public health crisis, went down to defeat, 1,259 votes in favor, to 761 opposed, in the unofficial tally by the town.