Voters consider spending measures

NEW HARTFORD — Town leaders are seeking voter approval at referendums on two major issues in the next two months, with the first vote next week.

Monday, Dec. 2, taxpayers will have the opportunity, with a “yes� vote, to purchase 59 acres of land for conservation. In January a second referendum will decide the fate of the waste water treatment plant and how the town will fund the critical upgrade project.

Next week’s referendum will give residents the opportunity to purchase the Phillips Farm on East Cotton Hill Road, which will not have any impact on the town’s mill rate.

First Selectman Earl MacInnes said the total purchase price of the land will be $765,000, with a 50-percent reimbursement from the state. At closing, the town will pay 40 percent of the cost using open space funds. The balance will be paid in equal installments over the next three years.  

Currently, open space has $111,000 in funds with additional revenues coming in all the time from 490 tax-break penalties, sale of town property and subdivision fees.

“[The purchase] will have absolutely no impact on the mill rate,� MacInnes said. “It’s going to be up to the voters of the town to decide if they want to purchase the conservation easement on the Phillips Farm.�

MacInnes said the land, which connects two conservation parcels already owned by the town, will create a “green corridor� that will be used for passive recreation. “It will never be used for development.�

The town referendum will be Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the designated polling stations in town.

In January, residents will once again have the opportunity to decide how to spend the town’s money.

Last month, residents shot down a proposal to fund the construction and upgrades to the waste water sewer treatment plant. Some voters said they do not want to fund the project, but town officials say the need for facility upgrades is increasing and something will have to be done soon.

“No one likes to pay additional taxes,� MacInnes said. “But many residents in town realize the plant is antiquated. It poses an environmental impact to the river. We need to be responsible.�

The bidding process for the plant has been completed and the town knows exactly what the work will cost, MacInnes said. However, until the town approves the appropriation, construction can’t begin.

The longer the process takes, the more costly the project may become, he warned.

“We want to do it because we have a very good bid on the plant and if the taypayers and voters are willing to accept this new proposal, we will be able to keep the bid,� MacInnes said.

The new proposal calls for a plan that will divide the costs between sewer users and nonusers. MacInnes said 61 percent of the upgrade will be paid by current and future users of the sewer facility. The remaining 39 percent will be paid by all the taxpayers, users and nonusers.

“We have a consultant helping us with a rate structure, who will also be assisting us with writing grants,� MacInnes said. “We would like to see if we can qualify for some grants that will help us with the infrastructure and sewer lines.�

MacInnes said a referendum will be held in January to give voters the opportunity to accept or reject the new funding proposal.

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