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Editorial: Cast your vote, or not...
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Written by Editor
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NewsTimes.com
© Copyright 2010 Hersam Acorn Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.
Published On April 29, 2010
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Democracy is a messy business, no matter what level: local, state or national.
Next week is Wilton’s Annual Town Meeting, giving Wilton taxpayers an opportunity to vote on their town budget and bonding issues. It’s a centuries-old tradition and even though people will still go into voting booths to cast their ballots — for or against — they have one last opportunity to air their concerns or voice their support. That is a good thing.
What is a little unusual is the threshold in Wilton for passing a town budget. The town’s charter stipulates a 15% turnout is necessary for the budget to be rejected. Failing that, the budget is deemed to be accepted, regardless of the results.
For the past five years, Wiltonians have failed to turn out in numbers high enough to reach that 15%. Last year, 1,228 voters turned out, representing 10.6% of Wilton’s registered voters. And that was an improvement over the previous year when there was just an 8.6% turnout.
This is a double-edged sword. With the incentive to vote apparently so low, it’s possible a vocal minority could amass just enough votes to scuttle a budget. More commonly, voters sit back assuming more people — mostly parents of school children — will have enough incentive to vote for the budget than against.
Perhaps the vast majority of people who didn’t vote last year were passively voting for the budget. Still, there’s something about this that just goes against the grain of democracy where the ideal of “one person one vote” is sacred. When a budget passes in spite of a vote, there is no democratic process.
The Town Meeting takes place on Tuesday, May 4, 7:30, at Middlebrook School’s auditorium. The vote will begin following the meeting and will continue on Saturday from 9 to 6, also at Middlebrook.
Voters will support or reject the town budget that includes the Board of Selectmen’s budget at $28.9 million and the Board of Education budget at $70.3 million, and three bond issues all relating to capital improvements at the schools.
These numbers were not easy to come by. They represent a cut of $500,000 from the original selectmen’s budget and $1.2 million from the school budget. Admirably, the town employee unions stepped forward to accept a wage freeze, although the rank and file has yet to approve that recommendation. The school district, at this point, has opted to go with layoffs.
As a result, Wilton’s mill rate will increase by 2.94% if this budget passes, down from 5.1% before the Board of Finance directed the cuts be made.
The boards worked hard to achieve these results and were responsive to the severe economic recession. Their hard work should be supported by passage of the budget. Just as bills have to be paid at home, they have to be paid in town.
The bonds include roofing renovations at Miller-Driscoll School and Middlebrook School, and window replacement at Middlebrook School.
By all means, the capital projects should be approved. Putting off needed maintenance is just a recipe for disaster further down the road.
The remaining question is: Will this budget pass by the will of the people or by default?
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