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Could it Be?

On April 16, Guilford registered voters went to the polls to approve or disapprove the proposed 2024-'25 Town Budget. Just after 8 p.m., the results started coming in from the five polling locations. All five Guilford Districts had just voted down the proposed budget. Specifically, 2,988 Guilford residents, or 18.7% of the registered voters, had gone to the polls and voted down the budget by 388 votes (1,300 votes for and 1,688 votes against). This was in stark contrast to the 2023 budget referendum, where only 2,186 Guilford residents, or 13.72% of Guilford registered voters, had gone to the polls and approved the proposed budget by 348 votes (1,267 votes for and 919 votes against). Bottom line: 802 more voters cast their votes this year compared to last year, and 769 of these new voters voted against approving the budget. What then motivated these Guilford voters to go to the polls and vote against the 2024-'25 Town Budget?

Could it be that this 2024-'25 proposed budget represented a 4.45% increase in the Guilford Town and Education operating budgets at a time when we are all getting crushed by inflation and high taxes? Could it be that the Town approved a methadone clinic without public notice, public input, impact studies, or background checks? Could it be that the Town rejected multiple petitions regarding the methadone clinic and the ethics complaint against First Selectman Matt Hoey? Could it be that at the Annual Budget Meeting on April 2, additional nominations for moderator were denied, secret ballots were rejected, and discussions on motions were disallowed? Could it be that the residents of Guilford feel disrespected and are sending a strong message to the Board of Selectmen?

Dave Holman

Guilford