Newton mayor eyes override in mid $20-million range

As Rachana Rathi reported in this morning's piece on Newton North High School, Newton Mayor David Cohen wants voters to consider a property tax increase of about $25-million.

Earlier this week, Cohen said his request included $12 million for the city's schools and $4.5 million for city services for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins in July, and another $6 million to cover a projected shortfall in fiscal year 2010. The mayor added he would also ask the board to include design costs for rebuilding the Ainger and Cabot elementary schools in the override, and that he would have a firm number sometime next month.

Cohen said it was important that the city plan two years ahead.

"Does it make sense to do an override and all that ... and be in the exact same place next year?" he said at a meeting Wednesday night.

In 2002, voters narrowly approved an $11.5 million override, the first in the city's history, by a 51 to 49 percent margin.