When voters head to the polls on Wednesday, May 8, not only will they get the chance to cast a vote on the proposed education and town budget, but a proposed bonding package as well. The appropriation of $10,700,00 for various capital improvement projects was approved to appear on the ballots at the budget referendum at a Board of Finance (BOF) meeting on April 10.

While the resolution is for a lump sum, there are approximate costs for each project. The Kelseytown Road bridge and Carter Hill Road bridge improvements are estimated to cost $5,200,000; $2,780,000 is estimated for the Joel School and Eliot School roof improvements. Road and sidewalk improvements carry a price tag of $1,515,000, while $1,205,000 is needed for the purchase and installation of eight underground water tanks for the fire department.

First Selectman Christine Goupil said that 80 percent of the bridge project is reimbursable, while 40 percent of the roof projects are reimbursable. Goupil said that if the bridges are not replaced, the state will find the bridges deficient and close them. Goupil also added that placing the fire department tanks in the areas of town without fire hydrants will provide fire suppression and lower property owners’ insurance.

The wording of the resolution was a sticking point for some town officials. During a discussion on the resolution during a Board of Selectmen meeting prior to the BOF meeting, Selectman Carol Walter said that asking the voters to approve a total sum as opposed to individual costs for each project would be a tough sell.

“Clinton has demonstrated time after time they do not like lump sum bonds,” Walter said.

BOF member Ona Nejdl echoed those sentiments at the BOF meeting.

“I don’t like the lumping of the projects. It looks like we’re hiding something,” Nejdl said.

Goupil explained that the wording was recommended by the town’s bond counsel and gives the town flexibility so that if the cost of one project comes in as less than estimated and another project is over as what was estimated, funds could be used to pay the difference. However, if the projects were voted on individually, if an unexpected cost arose construction would need to be halted until more money could approved at a subsequent referendum, which Goupil argued would not be an ideal way to do business.

To be eligible to vote in Clinton’s budget referendum, a person must be a registered voter in the town or own a property or a vehicle assessed at more than $1,000.