Sen. Kissel: Governor Signs Thompsonville Bill

Bill allowing non-resident tax payers to vote in annual meeting signed by Governor Rell
Senator John A. Kissel (R-Enfield) today said that HB 5186, An Act Concerning the Thompsonville Fire District was signed into law this afternoon (May 21) by Governor Rell after passing both the House and Senate two weeks earlier.

“This bill has been a long time in the making and I was happy to work with Rep. Tallarita to help move it through the legislative process” said Sen. Kissel. “While we were hoping to have it signed by the May 14th annual meeting, so that property owners would be eligible to vote on the budget, I am very happy that this bill was signed by the Governor earlier this afternoon. I am also looking forward to participating in a bill-signing ceremony over the summer.”

Prior to passage of the bill, only residents of the Thompsonville Fire District had been able to vote in the annual Fire District meeting. As there are a large number of residences in Thompsonville that are not owner-occupied, there has been a form of taxation without representation. This bill adds to the current voter eligibility, which is any person residing within the limits of the district and qualified to vote in the affairs of the town of Enfield, any citizen of the United States of the age of eighteen, or more, who is liable to the district for taxes assessed against such citizen.

“Non-resident taxpayers have had to absorb tax increases specific to the fire district for years without having any say in the budget, and this is an important move towards creating a fairer system of taxation,” added Senator Kissel. “Especially during this economy, these individuals should have a say in the local budget.”