Brookline says yes, Shrewsbury says no

Brookline voters approved a $6.2-million property tax override Tuesday night, while Shrewsbury rejected its proposal for a $1.5-million increase.

"It's unbelievable. I am so thrilled," said Rebecca Stone, a Brookline school board member who worked for the override. "I am so grateful to this town right now."

Approval of the Brookline override would increase taxes by $385 a year on the median-value single-family home in Brookline, and $118 on a median-value condominium, according to the town administrator's office. About $3.6 million of the total would be used to cover the budget deficit for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins July 1, and perform various deferred maintenance projects. Backers also said they money would pay for a longer school day.

Along with the measures in Brookline and Shrewsbury, a town meeting in Marblehead passed property tax increases for two school building projects, although the moves still require a vote at a special election, and in Rockport, a $2.73 million debt exclusion to fund a series of capital needs, including a firetruck and school buses, was approved.

History appeared to play a role in yesterday's votes. Brookline's success echoed that of 14 years ago, when officials last asked voters to support an override for an operating budget. In Shrewsbury, voters have never passed an override for an operating budget.