Why I No longer Support the Tax Override
My wife and I moved to Norwell about 13 years ago and built our retirement home, drawn by its semi-rural charm and proximity to Boston. While many families come for the excellent schools and often consider leaving once their children graduate, I encourage you to stay. Norwell is more than just a school town – it's a wonderful place to retire and put down long-term roots.
How do we make Norwell a good place to be for all our years? I believe the place to start is with the tax and expense burden. My opinion on the override article has changed after town meeting and I am now leaning to a “no” vote on May 17. After listening to the arguments, I am persuaded that we are starting down a path of escalating spending with no plan. We are told of need for another override for operational expenses in the next year or two, a new high school, a water treatment plant and possibly a community center. This will have profound effects on many households in Norwell, especially seniors and others on fixed or limited income: a new high school alone will likely cost about $100 million (MSBA cost data); even more operational overrides may be needed, especially if expenses do not stabilize. On their own, each request has merit (in fact, in the absence of most of these requests I would continue to support the current override proposal). While Norwell may need each of these things, it does not make sense to do all of them over a few years’ time, especially in uncertain economic times. The operational overrides in particular risk taxpayer exhaustion, crowding out needed improvements. While each need should be evaluated on its own merits, they should also be prioritized and considered collectively in a comprehensive plan for the future.
I am not convinced that the limitations imposed by the base budget will be as painful as some have stated. In my professional life I have been through budget reductions; we adapt, and Norwell can too.
Regardless of the outcome of the vote, I propose that the Select and Advisory Boards develop a comprehensive plan for presentation next year. The plan should consider project timing, borrowing strategies including current debt obligations and full taxpayer impact, not just changes in property tax. In order to achieve all these worthwhile objectives, fiscal change and planning is needed. It should begin now.
What can you do? Be sure to vote on May 17th and help shape Norwell’s future. Also, please consider voting for Mark Cleveland – a voice for thoughtful fiscal planning.
