Following a presentation by members of a community center advisory committee that held similar meetings with the Boards of Finance and Selectmen in recent weeks, the Legislative Council voted February 18 to send an authorization to spend a $15 million community center grant from General Electric to a public referendum on Saturday, March 21.

The referendum authorizing the expenditure is required by charter, even though it does not represent a taxpayer generated appropriation.

During discussion, First Selectman Pat Llodra reported to the council she is releasing a third Q&A on the town website that clarifies language in the contract between the town and General Electric.

According to council Chair Mary Ann Jacob, that contract permits Newtown to construct a 35,000-square-foot community center with $10 million of the grant, that includes senior services and a swimming facility.

The council also finalized its budget calendar Wednesday, with plans to hold a public hearing on March 18, followed by presentation by Board of Finance. Ms Jacob said the council committees with then examine their specific sections of the budget request, and make recommendations when the full group reconvenes at the beginning of April.

Ms Jacob said full council deliberations are scheduled on April 1 and 8, with a vote expected at the end of that second session. The final town and school budget requests go to a split or bifurcated public vote on Tuesday, April 28.

On February 5, the Board of Selectmen completed its departmental review and unanimously approved a 2015-16 budget request of $40,203,958.

That proposal includes all municipal operational expenses plus all debt service on capital borrowing for the town and school district. Requested debt service totals $10,110,702 - about a $233,000 reduction from the current budget year.

The Board of Education voted to adopt its 2015-16 budget request of $72,253,488 on Thursday, February 5, representing 1.27 percent increase over the current year.

The Board of Finance set a public hearing on the selectmen’s and Board of Education’s approved budget proposals Thursday, February 19, at 7:30 pm.