A referendum orginally intended for March 21 for voters to approve a $15 million gift from the GE Foundation has been scheduled instead for April 28 to coincide with the annual budget referendum. The Board of Selectman during a special meeting on February 27 moved to make the change.

First Selectman Pat Llodra had stated that she would like additional time for community engagement and discussion for the community center project.

The April 28 referendum will include a questions to gain required taxpayer approval to spend the stipulated GE grant — a $15 million gift to Newtown. The grant is stipulated to provide $10 million for development and construction of a community center, with the balance devoted to a minimum of five years of operational programming at $1 million per year.