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Audience member says recent Sterling budget vote may be legally defective
Summary
At the May 20 Board of Selectmen meeting, audience member Stephanie Thompson alleged a $15,000 increase in the May 13 town budget made the Town Meeting vote 'defective' and cited an apparent violation of CGS § 7-344; town staff and selectmen said accounting entries offset and the matter will be reviewed when an absent selectman returns.
An audience member told the Sterling Board of Selectmen on May 20 that the town’s May 13 budget vote may be legally defective because it included a $15,000 increase she said the Board of Finance did not know about.
Stephanie Thompson, identified in the meeting as the sole member of the Audience of Citizens, said the May 13 budget "was incorrect but was voted & approved by the Town’s residents" and that the Town Meeting vote was therefore "defective & appropriations can be legally challenged." She also said "the spirit & process" of Connecticut General Statutes § 7-344 was violated and asked the board to address the issue publicly.
Selectman Ronald Whitcomb told Thompson his understanding was that the $15,000 discrepancy would be addressed when Selectman Myron "Jack" Joslyn returns and characterized the difference as a mistake on Joslyn’s part. Revenue Collector Judith Stumpo told the board the budget entries showed both Expenses and Revenues increased equally by $15,000 and said the increase reflected pay adjustments tied to the assistant administrator and the recreation positions.
Selectman Patricia Massey acknowledged the question and said the meeting’s agenda permitted the Audience to speak at that point only. The board did not take a formal vote to reopen or revisit the May 13 Town Meeting result during the May 20 session.
Why it matters: Thompson’s allegation raises a procedural and legal question about how the budget changes were recorded and whether proper notice and process were followed at the Town Meeting. Board members said the discrepancy will be examined further when Selectman Joslyn is available to provide clarification.
Next steps: The transcript records no formal motion or vote on re-opening or rescinding the May 13 vote. Whitcomb said the matter would be addressed when Joslyn returns; the board provided no timetable or public follow-up during the May 20 meeting.
