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Curran, who gave her update at the Town Board's Nov. 5 meeting, anticipates that the cost will be in the “neighborhood of $50,000.” In coming up with the figure, Curran cited the cost of hiring people for the election and a registration day, postage, printing, publishing and attorney's fees.
During the meeting, Curran acknowledged that the cost of the special election has been a frequent item of interest. She also explained that some parts of it cannot be known yet.
Following the meeting, Curran explained that the costs are for leading up to and including election day.
The special election includes two questions: whether Town Board members should be elected by wards, which are geographic districts, and whether two council seats should be added to the board. The current five-member board is made up of members who are elected on an at-large, townwide basis.
The proposals have been criticized by residents who argue that it the ward system would be divisive and add more seats equate to higher costs. Proponents have argued that a ward system would be beneficial for representation.
A town-run special election is being held separately because the Board of Elections determined that the referendums could not be included with the general election ballot due to a state law preventing such a scenario in an even-numbered year. If the ward vote was held as part of a general election, it was previously noted, there would be no cost to the town.
Voter information for the special election is on the town's website, which is available here.
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