Citizens Petition Honeywell Funding Request to a Referendum Vote

A decision on a $3.8 million bonding request for energy improvement projects for school buildings was expected at a Town Meeting this Tuesday, but the Citizens Audit Committee garnered enough signatures over the weekend to petition it to a referendum vote. Town Clerk Marsha Beno verified close to 250 signatures Monday afternoon with assistance from the Registrars Office — 200 signatures were needed.

Now the Honeywell funds will be voted on during the second budget referendum on April 23, when polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Beno said it is scheduled that way by state statute.

When asked about the petition effort in his office Monday, First Selectman Steve Vavrek said, "They had every right to do this, but it's just the way they sold it."

In an email organizers sent out promoting the petition, they said of the $3.8 million appropriation, "THIS AMOUNT IS IN ADDITION TO THE PRESENTED BUDGET!"

The couple pointed out that many people would not be able to attend the Town Meeting vote, while more could participate in the decision if it is included in the townwide budget referendum.

Vavrek responded to the email saying the $3.8 million in bonding is not in addition to the budget as presented.

"As a town we are paying the debt in the Board of Education via the energy savings," Vavrek said. "Not liking a budget and voting no is fine, but to keep coming out with statements that aren't true is just wrong."

The Town Meeting will still be held as scheduled at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in the Town Council Chambers of Monroe Town Hall. It will then adjourn to a Town Meeting vote.

'A No Brainer'

Town Councilman Nick Kapoor, who is chairman of the Democratic Town Committee, saw volunteers garnering signatures outside Stop & Shop on the weekend and later commented in an email:

I would never advocate for taking away the voting rights of Monroe citizens and if 200 electors want to petition this project to a town wide voted, they have every right; however, in this case, I do not believe an adjourned Town Meeting is necessary. This project is a no brainer. Its benefits are immense for Monroe.

On Monday, Vavrek said despite budgets with higher increases in the past, the Board of Education had not invested in infrastructure, so now the projects must be done to maintain its buildings.