Voters approve Natick override

By Erica Noonan

Voters in Natick Tuesday approved a $3.9 million Proposition 2 1/2 override by a 55 to 45 percent margin -- a tax increase that is expected to cost the average homeowner an extra $290 annually.

The money is intended to cover municipal budget shortfalls for 2009 and 2010 and forestall cuts in public safety services, library hours and teaching jobs.

``We are really, really honored that people in particularly tough ecnonmic times recongnized the need for the oveeride. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who volunteers and voted,'' said Mari Barerra, an organizer of the pro-override group.

Turnout was high, said Natick Town Clerk Judi Kuhn, with roughly 50 percent of the town's 21,000 registered voters casting ballots, which election officials attributed mainly to the override question -- Natick's first since 2001.

A well-organized pro-override campaign had blanketed many neighborhoods with signs and Vote Yes! for Natick cq supporters holding placards were a constant presence in downtown Natick over the past month.