Overview of the override
Published on June 6th, 2007
STONEHAM, MA - Voters have less than two weeks left to decide whether they will endorse a $3 million proposition 2 and 1/2 override at June 19 special election on the tax increase.
According to Selectman Paul Rotondi, who authored a five year financial plan predicated upon the passage of the tax increase, this year's ballot question is far different than in years past, as town officials have prepared a blueprint to manage Stoneham's finances.
The larger question, Rotondi believes, is not whether the $3 million tax increase is necessary, but rather, whether Stonehamites can trust its officials to stay true to the five year plan.
The School Committee, Finance Board, and four of the five Selectmen have penned their name on what has become known as the "Rotondi Plan".
The agreement, which calls on management to reign in annual spending increases to three percent overall each year, has been touted as a sign that town officials are willing to address structural deficiencies within Stoneham's operations.
"That's what this is all about. There has never been a plan. People have always said, here's what we need now," said Rotondi. "And if you look at the numbers, and they don't lie, if we don't do anything and put in a trash fee again, two years from now we'll have another $2 million problem."
According to figures prepared by the Finance Board, the $3 million tax increase would cost the average homeowner $370 next year. However, because the trash fee will be eliminated if the override was to pass, Rotondi has stressed that the net increase for local citizens would amount to $210.
Opponents of the override, including former Finance Board and School Committee member Peter D'Angelo, have contended that taxpayers will really see a $400 or larger increase next year.
The town's assessor's office has not prepared any estimates on what the increase would be for the average homeowner, although those figures may be available next week.
The consequence of a 'no' vote
Based upon the budget passed at last May's Town Meeting, Stoneham faces a $3.8 million deficit next year, a financial gap that will lead to widespread layoffs and program reductions if not addressed.
According to School Committee Chairwoman Maureen Soley, the town's school system will be virtually dismantled unless some revenue source is tapped.
Some of the most significant proposed reductions, which will be reviewed by the educational board at its next meeting, include:
- The closure of the rear Middle School wing, an impact that will result in grade six being redistricted to elementary schools;
- Eradicating the entire high school athletic program;
- The loss of all fine arts programs in grades K-8;
- The loss of eight elementary school and two middle school teaching positions;
- Layoffs of two school nurses and one asst. principal at the high school.
"This generation of children don't have what children had 20-years-ago," said Soley. "They had access to remedial reading, instrumental music, and fine arts programs."
"We've already cut administrators, art teachers, music teachers. And we've done away with a number of programs at the middle school," the School Committee Chair added. "So for the people walking around saying, 'everything has been restored [in years past]', that's absolutely not true."
On the townside, Town Administrator David Ragucci's budget also calls for some deep cuts, primarily to public safety departments, including:
- Eliminating three police officials, including one lieutenant, one sergeant, and one patrolman position;
- The loss of five firefighting jobs;
- Elimination of the senior center van driver and a part-time nurse position;
- The reduction of eight part-time positions at the library, which will also lose its state certification.
Also included in the municipal list of reductions are funds for several positions that currently don't exist. Including a Town Planner, MIS position, and the restoration of the Recreation Director and program - currently funded through private donations - those new posts total $211,000.
On the school side, $220,000 worth of reductions are linked to four middle school teaching posts that currently don't exist, but like the recreation program, were slashed in years past.
"The Town Planner will pay for itself. That's one of those things we talk about every year, but never have the money for," said Rotondi, defending the additions. "The MIS position is to put is in the 21st century. I think even the opponents of the override think we need that slot. We don't have the management levels to effectively manage."
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