Beverly putting override to vote

Will it be Yes for Beverly? The City Council will let the voters decide.

The council voted unanimously Monday to hold a special election June 3 requesting a $2.5 million override to help the school system close its budget gap. It is the first override vote the city has ever held.

Yes for Beverly, the group that pushed for the override, rallied support for the tax hike after school officials said the shortfall could mean 61 layoffs and the potential closing of two schools.

The organization has provided a calculator so homeowners can see what the override - 41 cents per $1,000 valuation - would mean to their property tax bills here . Homes valued at $450,000 - the average for a single-family in Beverly - would see a permanent increase of $185.26.

The taxes on that property would be $4,748.62 without the override; $4,933.87 if it passes.