05/21/2026
Today, Colchester voters showed up in the highest turnout referendum in recent history with a clear message: No - Too High. Both the Town and Board of Education budgets were defeated by a significant margin.
Over the last few weeks, I have heard residents repeatedly express two major concerns: affordability and lack of confidence in the process. While the Board of Finance worked to bring down the proposed mill rate increase with a combination of reductions — including a $1 million cut to the Board of Education’s proposed budget — and use of fund balance and new state revenue, the budget sent to referendum was still an increase of over 2 mills. The Board of Finance debated further cuts to the Board of Education, but a majority of members ultimately agreed they would let the voters decide. It was a difficult ask to begin with, made tougher by the ongoing questions residents asked about the status of the Board of Education’s incomplete forensic audit.
Although the Board of Education met to review their report last night, the document itself was not available for the public until today. The report does not change the numbers the Board of Education needs to shore up their health insurance fund, but I am glad to see the report see the light of day and hope it will provide the answers voters are looking for. Unfortunately, the release of the report on the day of referendum was simply too late.
Regardless, voters have spoken on both budgets. Now, the Board of Finance must find ways to better balance our Town and Education needs with the financial needs of Colchester property owners and voters.
I ran for First Selectman to bring people together. Sometimes that means leading. In times like this, it means listening. I am proud of the progress we made over the last two and half years, but today calls for a different approach.
Tomorrow, the Board of Finance will meet at 6:00 PM to discuss and act on reductions to both budgets so that a second referendum can be scheduled before the end of the fiscal year. I encourage residents to attend in-person or via Zoom. The Board of Selectmen was scheduled to meet at 7:00 PM, but I will cancel the Board of Selectmen’s regular meeting to allow the Board of Finance the time for appropriate deliberations about both the Town and Board of Education budgets.
I am prepared to work with the Board of Finance to make cuts on the Town side. Together, we must find ways to listen to the voice of the community and reduce the proposed mill rate.
(Updated with corrected unofficial advisory question numbers)
