Budget Referendum, GOP Presidential Primary Today

Democratic Registrar of Voters predicted less than 10 percent of the registered voters in town will come out Tuesday to vote on the budget.

He also predicted an even lower turnout for the Republican Primary, which will be held at the same time for registered Republicans.

While budget season has often been a testy time in town politics in the past, this year was sleepy. Very few residents attended the town budget hearing at McGee School.

Berlin Mayor Adam Salina said he hopes that it is a sign of contentment from the citizens in town.

"My first budget in 2000, McGee School was packed and people were upset," Salina said. "You will always see people come out and fight for what they want when they are upset. I think they see our slight increase in the mill rate, which is .69, down a little bit from what we thought was going to be .71, and they think it is acceptable.

"I talk to other mayors and they are all saying they are going to raise taxes or they are going to lay off town employees. I look next door and they are promising no tax increase but at what cost? They are possibly laying off more than 100 workers.

"I talk to a lot of people around town and I think people are happy with the job we have done holding down taxes. We have had zero increases in a few years but I think most people are realistic that we will have a small increase and be able to keep people employed and keep all our services that we have in place.

Salina praised the work of town employees on holding the line for the budget.

"I have to say with Denise McNair as Town Manager and Finance Director Jim Wren, we have tremendous leadership as we go through the budget process," he said. "It's really important and conforting to trust the emloyees of the town."

All five polling places will be open until 8 p.m.

LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE VOTING DISTRICT  

Emma Hart Willard School 1
1088 Norton Road, Kensington

American Legion Hall 2
154 Porters Pass, Kensington

Richard D. Hubbard School 3
139 Grove St., East Berlin

Percival Senior Center (All Purpose Room) 4
31 Colonial Drive, Kensington

Mary E. Griswold School 5
133 Heather Lane, Kensington