NEWPORT — Quick and painless was the order of the day as Newport City voters approved all articles on the annual meeting warning Tuesday night. A smaller than normal turnout at the polls was mirrored two-fold in the seats during the culmination of the day’s voting.
The members of the city council and the two city officials present outnumbered the five voters in the audience Tuesday night. Mayor Paul Monette’s call to discuss any other business was met with the faint buzz of overhead lighting and the maddeningly persistent hiss of the Municipal Building’s plumbing system.
The 533 ballots were the fewest cast in recent years, City Clerk Jim Johnson said. Fewer than 17 percent of the city’s 3,208 eligible voters turned out on Tuesday. A normal year routinely sees 600 to 700 ballots cast, while the meeting portion draws ten to 15 people, he said.
“I’m not sure why people didn’t come out,” Mr. Johnson said. “Maybe it’s because it’s the tail end of vacation and people are just coming back? I really don’t know.”
The city budget of $2,858,629 passed easily by a vote of 351 in favor and 176 against. The Newport City Elementary School’s budget also passed, but by a much narrower margin. The $4,625,234 budget received 287 votes in favor and 236 against.
Incumbent aldermen Tim de la Bruere and John Wilson were both re-elected to the city council. Mr. de la Bruere received 407 votes, Mr. Wilson 385 while challenger Judy Sawyer garnered 135. Leo Willey and Pat Haugwitz were elected Newport City Elementary School Board members.
Richard Cartee was re-elected as the city’s union school director. Mr. Johnson was re-elected to three-year terms as city clerk and city treasurer.
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