Wakesurfing vote in Kent goes to end-of-month referendum

KENT — At its July 2 meeting, the Board of Selectmen changed the voting format for the proposed Lake Waramaug wakesurfing ban from town meeting to a referendum, which is to be held July 31.

The switch comes after an unexpectedly robust turnout forced the postponement of a June 27 town meeting where the contentious ordinance was set to be voted on alongside three fire safety related ordinances that have received considerably less public attention. At the July 2 meeting, First Selectman Marty Lindenmayer told the Board that he felt conducting the vote as a referendum, separately from the other ordinances, was the best way to accommodate all the voters. The Board enthusiastically agreed.

Over three motions, the BOS rescheduled the town meeting for July 11, removed the wakesurfing vote from that agenda and set the vote to go a July 31 referendum. An additional motion established the wording of the referendum so that Warren and Washington may be consistent in their own referendums.

Lindenmayer explained that one utility of the July 31 referendum route is that it enables the other towns, who also have to approve the ordinance in order for it to be adopted, to conduct their own votes on the same day. Lindenmayer reported that he had spent several hours earlier that day with the town’s attorney Randy DiBella and the Warren and Washington first selectmen devising the solution. “That’s what we thought is fair; it brings all three towns together,” he said.

Selectman Glenn Sanchez thanked Lindenmayer for coordinating with Washington and Warren in devising the referendum plan. “I think that’s very important.”

As the three towns govern the lake jointly, any ordinance regulating lake activity must be approved by each voting bloc.

The referendum will allow for absentee voting, explained Lindenmayer. Absentee ballots will become available to residents to pick up beginning July 14.