Groveland votes down override

Groveland's $172,340 Proposition 2 ½ override for continuation of a road improvements project was defeated at the ballot box Monday, 485-357.

For several years, the road improvement program had been placed before voters annually as a capital exclusion. But this year, the Board of Selectmen put it on the ballot as a permanent override.

Town Meeting voted in favor of the override last week, sending it to a townwide election.

Finance Director Greg Labrecque thought the vote reflected the "no override" mood of voters.

"People aren't going to vote for an override for anything," Labrecque said. "The economy's not going to allow it. People are having a tough time, and they expect us to live within our budget, just like everybody else.

"You have a finite amount of money and you make your choices."

-- David Rattigan