Voters in the town of Cumberland rejected a plan to build affordable housing in their community Tuesday night.
The town council had voted to move the project forward, but the measure was rejected by 69 percent of voters, 2,545 to 1,163.
The plan was to build 107 affordable housing units, but it drew sharp criticism from many neighbors.
Cumberland has some of the top schools in the state, but town leaders say many of their teachers can’t afford to live there.
The Drowne Road project, which would have been built on town ballfields, would have been for individuals earning less than $50,000 and families earning less than $71,000 a year.
Monthly rents would have ranged from about $1,330 to $1,840, depending on the size of the apartment.
Town leaders said the project would benefit young families looking to move to Cumberland, seniors looking to downsize and people who work in Cumberland but can’t afford to live there.
“We’re looking at folks commuting two hours both ways every day to work here,” Town Councilor Tig Filson said. “Really looking at ed-techs and teachers and nurses who might not be able to buy an $820,000 home.”
Opponents had numerous objections. They said the project was too big, would strain local schools, raise taxes and they didn’t want the ballfields relocated.
“Partially because our boy plays Little League, and we love Bailey Field and would hate to see that relocated,” Henry Cline, who opposes the project, said. “But also, it just feels like the details really have not been sorted out.”
