UPDATED: Voters Approve Plans for Roads and Athletic Fields Improvements

Stonington voters approved plans to improve roads and build an artificial turf field during Wednesday's referendum.

About 1,400 people, or 11.32 percent of eligible Stonington voters cast votes.

On the question of whether or not to appropriate $3.5 million for various road improvements and authorize the issuance of $3.5 million bonds and notes to finance the appropriation 1053 people voted yes and 351 people voted no.

The road improvement plan is a four-year plan to repair 49 roads in town. A homeowner with a house assessed at $225,000 will pay a total of $301.50 in additional taxes over 20 years to pay for the road improvements. A formula to calculate the tax increase is available on the town website and is attached to this article.

First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr., said that on Friday the town will begin to decide which roads the town will repair first.

On the question of whether or not to appropriate $2.7 million for athletic fields and facilities improvements and to authorize the issuance of $2.7 million bonds and notes to finance the appropriation 827 people voted yes and 530 people voted no.

The athletic fields and facilities improvement plan will transform Donald E. Palmer Field at Stonington High School into an artificial turf field and then repair the softball, boys soccer, field hockey and the all-purpose fields. A homeowner with a house assessed at $225,000 will pay a total of $229.50 in additional taxes over 20 years to pay for the plan. A formula to calculate the tax increase is available on the town website and is attached to this article.

Haberek said the town hopes to have the artificial turf field ready for the fall 2013 football season. He said once construction begins on the field it will take about 90 days to complete. Construction is expected to begin in early spring 2013.

Here is a breakdown of votes on Question 1 by polling location:

Shall, the Town of Stonington appropriate $3,500,000.00 for various road improvements and authorize the issuance of $3,500,000.00 bonds and notes to finance the appropriation?

Here is a breakdown of votes on Question 1 by polling location:

Shall, the Town of Stonington appropriate $2,700,00.00 for athletic field and facilities improvements and authorize the issuance of $2,700,00.00 bonds and notes to finance the appropriation?

Districts One and Three voted at the Stonington Fire House at 100 Main St., in Stonington Borough.

District Two voted at the Pawcatuck Fire House at 33 Liberty St. in Pawcatuck

Districts Four and Five voted at the B.F. Hoxie Engine Company at the Mystic Fire Department at 34 Broadway Avenue in Mystic.

Updated at 9:55 p.m., with voter tallies.