It's Getting Closer, But Still No Approved Budget In Windsor Locks

WINDSOR LOCKS, CT — The numbers are getting closer, but for the fifth consecutive time, the proposed Windsor Locks budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year failed at referendum again Tuesday.

There were two questions on the ballot:

• Shall the Town's Operating Budget for fiscal year July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 in the amount of $61,215,331, as recommended by the Board of Finance, be approved? Yes - 625; No - 718 (53.5 percent opposed)
• Shall the Town's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Budget for fiscal year July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026, in the amount of $403,569, as recommended by the Board of Finance, be approved? Yes - 634; No - 701 (52.5 percent opposed)

In the initial referendum on June 3, the two questions were overwhelmingly defeated, with opposition by 68.6 percent and 68.8 percent, respectively. Three more failed votes followed, with the latest results on July 15 indicating more than 65 percent of those casting ballots were still opposed.

At a town meeting on July 21, a two-year phase-in plan for the new taxes was adopted, as opposed to the four-year plan demanded by residents.

A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen is slated for Wednesday, July 30 at 6 p.m., at which the panel may establish a mill rate in accordance with state statutes. At 6:30 will be a meeting of the Board of Finance, where members will review, discuss and recommend potential cuts and discuss the phase-in.

A fifth referendum has been scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 12 from noon to 8 p.m.