From 1931: Middletown Votes Today on School Consolidation

The following article is from 80 years ago today, published in the Hartford Courant on May 22, 1931.
Westfield Schools were established independently of the Central School District of Middletown. Residents paid a separate schools tax to support the Westfield School, which was on East Street, where the Westfield Fire Station is currently located. Families wishing to send their children to the Middletown High School would pay for that privilege.
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Supported by all the members of the two school boards except Joseph M. Lucey of the Town School Committee, the proposition to consolidate the two school districts is to be decided at the polls Friday. Eight thousand eight hundred persons are eligible to vote on the question, but it is expected that the vote will be light.

The polls are to be open from 2 until 8 p.m. and the result should be known about 9:30 or 10 p.m. Voting will be by printed ballot, one for those in favor of consolidation, the second for those opposed and the referendum will be in charge of regular corps of election officials.

Most interest in the voting lies in the question of whether the Town School District will be affected by Committeeman Lucey's frank opposition into the project. Mayor Bielefield, Chairman Bertrand E. Spencer and all other members of the committee have come out in favor of the change and every member of the Board of Education, which handles the affairs of the ancient City School District, are also in favor of the change.

Voting Places
The following polling places have been arranged by the two school districts: Westfield in the conference house; Bow Lane, Maromas and Millbrook Road district in Schilke's Store, East Main Street; Durant district in the Durant School; Newfield section in the Newfield School; First Voting District of the City School District, north side of town hall; Second Voting District of City School District, south side of the town hall.

A majority vote in either district in opposition will defeat the project, while a majority vote in both districts for consolidation will make the measure effective at once and will result in the immediate calling of a joint meeting of the two school boards, who will serve until the next city election, when the new board of 13 members is to be elected.