Topsfield votes today on tax hikes for schools, bridge projects

Topsfield voters will consider two proposed Proposition 2˝ tax increases when they head to the polls today in the annual town election.

One of the proposals is a $78,277 override that would help fund the proposed increase in the town's assessment to the Masconomet Regional School district in fiscal 2008. Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton comprise the seventh to 12th grade district.

The other proposal is a debt exclusion that would allow the town to raise $400,000 to repay the debt on two bridge projects: the replacement of the Asbury Street bridge, and the repair of the Rowley Bridge Road bridge.

On Monday, annual Town Meeting appropriated $5.4 million to cover the town’s Masconomet assessment, of which $78,277 was contingent on passage of the override. It separately authorized funding for the bridge projects, contingent on passage of the debt exclusion.

-- John Laidler