As the Current learns more and more about costly school projects and union demands, here is a quick reminder of key meetings, votes and decisions on the journey to a potential override.
Aug. 19, 2024: Finance Committee meets with Finance Director Aleesha Benjamin regarding the budget and long-term financial plan.
Sept. 6, 2024: Town budgets and capital requests due in ClearGov.
Sept. 20, 2024: Select Board convenes meeting to set goals for FY26 budget.
October 2024 – November 2024: Members of the Finance Committee join preliminary liaison meetings with their assigned departments (schools, library, Recreation & Parks, etc.).
Nov. 1, 2024: Budget forecasting begins, with Benjamin and Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer.
Dec. 4, 2024: Select Board holds tax classification hearing, setting a property tax rate of $9.05.
Dec. 11, 2024: Benjamin presents FY26 forecast to Select Board.
Dec. 16, 2024: Benjamin presents FY26 forecast to Finance Committee.
Jan. 24, 2025 (noon): Deadline for registered voters to sponsor warrant articles.
Jan. 31, 2025 (noon): Deadline for town boards and commissions to submit their proposals. The warrant closes, and staff work with counsel to ensure articles are legally sound and written correctly.
Late January 2025: Kezer delivers State of the Town, providing updates on Marblehead’s financial health, including considerations for a general override. In an interview with the Current, Kezer estimated a $3.2 million general override is needed to cover teachers’ contracts. This estimate does not account for increases to police or municipal employees’ expired union contracts, which are currently in negotiation and mediation respectfully.
Early February – April: Finance Committee budget liaison meetings take place.
Late February or early March 2025: The official 2025 Town Meeting warrant will be published and posted around town.
April 2025: Finance Committee leads a warrant hearing, offering residents an opportunity to provide input on articles, including potential overrides.
April 2025: Finance Committee report (offering its guidance on warrant articles) is finalized and printed to be distributed in May.
May 5, 2025 (7 p.m.): Town Meeting at Veterans Middle School. Residents vote on the general fund operating budget, financial articles and any proposed general override. A general override must pass by a majority vote at Town Meeting.
Post-Town Meeting: To succeed, a Proposition 2½ tax general override must also be approved by a majority vote in a subsequent ballot election — usually the town election in June. This year’s is on Tuesday, June 17.
