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Willington schedules July 15 town meeting on education budget after residents press for more input
Summary
Following public comments urging more hearings and saying the proposed tax increase is too high, the Board of Selectmen approved a call for a town meeting on July 15, 2026 to consider the K–8 education budget and to set a referendum within the 7–14 day statutory window.
The Willington Board of Selectmen voted on July 1, 2026 to call a town meeting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. at Old Town Hall to discuss the proposed K–8 education budget and to set a date for a referendum within the statutory 7–14 day window.
The draft call, read to the board, listed budget figures the board will present to voters: a general government total of about $7,013,713; an estimated K–8 education budget of roughly $10,274,255 as read aloud; a Region 19 budget of $4,975,893; and a total town budget of $22,263,631. The draft indicated estimated revenues of about $4,466,287, leaving a net amount to be raised by taxation of approximately $17,356,344.
Public commenters at the meeting urged more public engagement and reductions to the proposed tax increase after three failed referendums. Peter Tanado told the board, “the proposed tax increase is simply too high,” and said repeated referendums showed voters were not being heard. Sarah Parcel urged officials to “keep those kids in mind” and stressed that decisions affect students and families. Peter Lutin asked the board to schedule an additional public hearing to avoid another referendum and to increase public participation.
Board members debated whether to insert another formal public hearing before calling the town meeting. Some members argued another hearing would delay the schedule, add cost and complicate election staffing; others said additional public input was merited after multiple failed referendums. The town registrar and town clerk flagged scheduling constraints: the registrar noted a state primary and early voting on Aug. 11 that could complicate holding two voting events close together, and the clerk reviewed legal notice timing and referendum windows.
Amendment and vote: the board accepted a friendly amendment moving the town meeting date to Wednesday, July 15 (from a proposed July 14); the call for the town meeting and warning was approved unanimously by roll call. The board will set the referendum date after the town meeting in the required seven-to-fourteen-day period and will publish legal notices per statutory timing.
Next steps: the town will notify the Board of Finance and the Board of Education of the meeting, publish the legal notices for the town meeting and then set the referendum date within the 7–14 day statutory window.
