Legal Opinion Expected in Coming Week on Ellington Referendum

In the aftermath of the heavily attended Wednesday evening, first selectman Maurice Blanchette awaits a legal opinion on the question on the petition for combining the referendum for the Crystal Lake School project and construction of a new senior center. Both bond counsel and the town attorney have been consulted for clarification on the procedures.

At issue will be whether the two items up for capital expenditure will be voted on as a package under one referendum question or whether there will be two questions set on the ballot on the same day. The town meeting voted overwhelmingly for the single date for the referendum, but the wording of the petition that prompted the town meeting did not specify for the two items to be combined into one single question.

“The process of appropriations through the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance is governed by the town charter,” said Blanchette, “and the petition process is also governed by the town charter.”

The petition, which was approved by the town meeting by an overwhelming margin was circulate by Wayne Reynolds, Chair of the Ellington Senior Center Steering Committee. He stated that the intent of the petition, and the message conveyed to those signing it, was that the referendum would combine the two projects into one question for approval or rejection. Board of Finance Chairman Robert Clements had asked the Steering Committee to delay the request for immediate funding, perhaps a couple of years, until the town had opportunity to retire some of their outstanding debt service.

Blanchette said he expected to receive the opinion of both town attorney Atherton Ryan, and special counsel on bond issues by the end of next week. The Board of Selectman has not set the date for the referendum on either project, but Blanchette believed that the date would be determined in the near future, perhaps within several weeks.

Though he was taken to task at the town meeting about making a decision, Blanchette insisted he wanted to make sure the proper procedures were followed.

“We are not trying to start any fights, we just want to follow the rules,” said Blanchette.