To the editor:
Recently an anti-override group released a position paper opposing a general override and proposing an alternative way forward. While we appreciate that residents are asking tough questions about the override, the paper presents a number of misleading claims and unrealistic assumptions.
First, it repeatedly refers to a supposed $1.5 million “surplus” in Question 4 that can simply be redirected to restore services. That is inaccurate. Those funds are already accounted for in the budget that overwhelmingly passed at Town Meeting. Suggesting they can simultaneously fund existing operations and restore additional services amounts to double counting, never mind the fact that the language of the ballot question allocates those funds exclusively to trash collection.
Second, the reported tax impacts are either incorrectly calculated or intentionally misleading.
The override proposals are phased in over three years, meaning residents do not pay the full increase immediately. The full tax impact is not reached until FY29. This has been repeatedly communicated by town leadership and publicly documented. Despite that, the opposition presents tax calculations as if homeowners are paying the entire increase in years one and two.
As a result, they overstate the impact of Question 3 on the average home by roughly $1,400 in year one and $500 in year two. Those are not small errors. They fundamentally misrepresent what residents would actually pay.
Third, a criticism lodged against the override proposals is that they provide no additional school funding FY27. Yes, this is true. It is also the fiscally responsible approach. The schools are intentionally minimizing the immediate impact on taxpayers while preparing for known future obligations, including collective bargaining increases and other ongoing operating pressures in FY28 and beyond. Multi-year planning is responsible budgeting and it’s why we have an override on the ballot that addresses future needs.
Lastly, and perhaps most fundamental, Marblehead's budget problems are structural. Rising labor costs, healthcare, special education, deferred maintenance and aging infrastructure aren’t one-time expenses. They come back every year. For decades, Marblehead has managed these growing obligations by delaying repairs, underfunding long-term needs and relying on temporary fixes. The bill for years of delay has now come due.
The override in front of voters is the result of thoughtful planning, deliberation and communication. It includes commitments to manage spending at set levels and provide increased transparency. It passed overwhelmingly at Town Meeting. Now it’s time to vote.
On Tuesday, June 9, vote ‘yes’ on Question 1, ‘yes’ on Question 2 AND ‘yes’ on Question 3 to fund the town we love.
Learn why on our website: formarblehead.org.
Matt Hooks, Nanepashemet Lane
Kate Thomson, Bubier Road
Co-chairs, For Marblehead
