The Select Board Wednesday night voted to move forward with a tiered override framework, backing a multi-year approach as officials work to close a roughly $7.7 million budget gap.
The vote directs Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer to return April 8 with detailed numbers and a finalized structure for Town Meeting, where residents will decide whether to place an override on the June ballot.
Kezer’s proposed override framework centers on two ballot questions: one offering multiple override tiers tied to service levels, and another asking voters whether to fund trash and recycling through taxes instead of a proposed fee.
“[The presentation] is based on putting a construct together. It is not intended to specifically identify and to enumerate the numbers,” Kezer said, describing an approach that would let residents decide “what level of services they want to support.”
Tiered override structure
Under the framework, the first question would offer three tiers, each building on the last. You can see Kezer’s presentation below:
Tier 1: Partial restore
● Restores a significant portion of cuts
● Includes town and school services
● Could be structured as a one- or three-year solution
Tier 2: Stabilize and build Includes Tier 1 plus:
● Full restoration of cuts
● Building maintenance funding
● Public safety and DPW staffing
● Salary study adjustments
Tier 3: Invest and improve
Includes Tiers 1 and 2 plus:
● Small capital investments
● Equipment, infrastructure, buildings
● Focus on long-term improvement
“The override is the opportunity to raise the tax levy in order to fund the expenditure of those things that are not included in the balanced budget,” Kezer said. “We weren’t talking about cutting and trimming. We were talking about closing the door in a number of services.”
Trash override question
A second question would address the town’s proposed trash fee, giving voters the option to instead fund the roughly $2 million cost through the tax levy.
Board leans toward multi-year solution
Board members largely supported pursuing a multi-year override rather than a one-year approach, arguing it would provide more stability for departments and employees.
“I feel like our board should be putting out solutions to the voters,” member Erin Noonan said, calling a one-year menu-based option “really a band aid.”
She said a multi-year override would allow the town to phase in increases over time rather than raise the full amount immediately.
“You’re spreading it out and tapping it as we need it,” Noonan said.
Still, there were differences over how detailed the override should be, including whether to present voters with a full package similar to Kezer’s approach or break out specific services.
Chair Dan Fox cautioned that a more segmented approach “complicates things,” while member Jim Zisson argued voters should clearly see “where the costs are likely to be cut (department-wise) and why they need to be reinstated.”
Standing-room-only crowd
It was a standing-room-only crowd as about 100 people packed Abbot Hall’s Select Board meeting room.
During public comment, many people spoke in favor of combining school and town override requests.
“I’m here to speak in support of a long-term solution for Marblehead, not a temporary fix that only gets us through this year,” said Caroline Hawkins. “The services in this town are not some line items in a budget. They’re part of my family’s everyday life across generations.”
Renee Ramirez Keaney added: “We are one community and we should address our problems together. And I don’t want to be back here again next year, in the same situation, facing this again, and having our town workers worrying about whether they’re going to have a job, and maybe even leaving, because of the instability here. So, I just want to say that I’d like to see us have considered an override that funds are services and is a multi-year solution.”
One woman spoke about how hard it will be for some residents, especially older people on fixed incomes, to afford higher taxes.
“I know some older people who are living in their family home, and they don’t have much income at all. I’m worried about their taxes going up. I’m not worried about my taxes going up, I’m not worried about all the rich people … I’m worried about people who are living in their family home that’s been in their family forever.”
Kate Thomson, co-chair of the newly formed ballot question committee For Marblehead, said after the meeting, “The Select Board’s decision to pursue a comprehensive, multi-year override reflects what so many residents have been calling for: a serious, responsible approach that doesn’t pit our schools, public safety, library, senior center and core town services against one another. Public advocacy helped make this outcome possible, and it marks an important first step. From here, For Marblehead is ready to help town leaders build public understanding about what each tier means, why these investments matter, and how critical it will be for residents to show up at Town Meeting.”
Next steps
The board tasked Kezer to work with the School Committee, Finance Committee and department heads over the coming week to develop a detailed override proposal and define what services would be restored under each option.
The following week, officials expect to present a full package, including specific dollar amounts and justification for each tier, for further board discussion.
Editor Leigh Blander contributed reporting.
