FAIRFIELD — Town officials are preparing for another vote after residents rejected two key portions of the proposed municipal budget during the June 9 referendum.
Although voters supported most of the $9 million spending plan, they declined to approve an article that would have appropriated about $1.2 million for general government salaries and operations.
They also voted down an article seeking roughly $260,000 for capital improvements.
About 33 percent of Fairfield’s registered voters participated in the referendum.
Town Council Chair Timothy Martin said the capital improvement request was $5,000 less than the current year’s appropriation, while the administrative spending request represented an increase of about $50,000.
Councilors have said the overall budget increase was driven largely by the addition of new Fire Department positions and rising costs associated with Delta Ambulance services.
During the meeting Wednesday, June 24, some councilors voiced support for holding another referendum rather than a traditional town meeting.
“I think getting the referendum as soon as possible is the way to go,” Councilor Matthew Townsend said, adding that it would allow more residents to participate.
Martin agreed, saying, “We just need to get the word out.”
“I wanted to weigh it each way and look at the pros and cons of both, but … getting people to vote on this stuff is huge,” Councilor Kevin Kitchen said in support of another referendum.
Councilors said they plan to meet with the Budget Committee and hold another public hearing before scheduling a future vote.
“What I would like to propose is that we start putting together the actual budget so you see exactly what those numbers look like,” Town Manager Michelle Flewelling said while discussing the referendum process. “Then we start putting together an exact timeline that includes the Budget Committee.”
Councilors also discussed why residents may have voted down the articles.
They took no formal action during the meeting, but the issues appear likely to return to voters through another referendum.
Councilors said they were concerned that voters may not have fully understood the purpose of the capital reserve account, which the town uses to save for major equipment purchases and infrastructure needs.
Martin said a failed capital reserve article could make it harder for the town to replace costly equipment, such as dump trucks, when needed.
Officials also urged residents to share feedback on the budget and the failed articles.
“I would encourage folks to reach out to the council or us at the office to share their thought process on that capital reserve account,” Flewelling said.
The Fairfield Town Council is expected to continue discussing the issue at its next regular meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, in the Council Chambers at 61 Water St., with streaming on Zoom and Crossroads‑TV.
