East Lyme residents to vote on $3.45 million for athletic complex

East Lyme - Residents and taxpayers will have an opportunity Feb. 28 to vote on a proposal to build a $3.45 million artificial-turf athletic complex.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Though the majority of residents at Wednesday's town meeting on the project voted in favor of forwarding it to a referendum, several spoke against spending the money on the complex.

Resident Ruth Reluga said she felt the town had its priorities "confused."

"I think a new Town Hall should be built before this. I think a whole lot of things on your wish list should be built before this," Reluga said. "I understand why you want this. I understand that your fields are in disrepair … But $3.5 million would go really a long way to help the academic side of education. And I think that should be the priority, instead of the athletic complex."

Reluga unsuccessfully asked that the Board of Selectmen consider waiting to hold the referendum until the spring, when many residents who spend their winters in Florida would be back in East Lyme and able to vote at the polls.

Reluga also asked for assurance from the town that the artificial turf, made of a mix of recycled tires and sand, would be recycled and not end up in the landfill at the end of its useful life, anticipated at about 14 years.

The project proposes to replace the current complex at the high school with the artificial turf field, new bleachers, new lights and a new track. The project also would create a new entry into the complex and add about 150 new parking spaces.

If voters approve the complex, construction would begin shortly after graduation and be completed by September, First Selectman Paul Formica said.

Resident Ron Rando said he felt the town was spending too much taxpayer money.

"This is going to catch up with us one of these days," Rando said. "There's a lot of houses in town that are in foreclosure. People aren't making money."

j.cho@theday.com