Region 14 Seeks Superior Court Approval on NHS Vote

Region 14, and the towns of Woodbury and Bethlehem, will seek authorization by a Superior Court judge to move forward with a $63.8 million referendum vote passed last month to make renovations at Nonnewaug High School.

Some doubt has been raised regarding the validity of the vote due to lack of prior notification of the referendum.

“The parties appreciate that concerns may exist with regard to the sufficiency of the notice provided for the recent building project referendum,” said Woodbury First Selectman Jerry Stomski. “The parties do not want that uncertainty to hang over the project and instead wish to validate the results.”

The district will ask the Superior Court judge to resolve any lingering questions with regard to the referendum notice and validity, said Stomski.

“A decree by the court is the best way to ensure certainty regarding the project for all of the parties and the residents of the towns,” he said. “The parties will work together to ensure that the process is speedy, economical, and without unnecessary acrimony.”

There was no official notice and warning published in the local papers ahead of the vote, bringing about the public’s concern. 

The Woodbury and Bethlehem Town Clerks have published the notice and warning for Region 14 referendums in the past, however they would receive a formal request from the district, according to Woodbury Town Clerk Linda Carlson. No such request was sent this time around.

“Both Town Clerks are in agreement — the bond vote was not legally noticed,” Carlson said.