Canton okays override

Voters in Canton have approved a $4.5 million tax override, the town's second override in the 28 years the state’s Proposition 2 1/2 tax-limiting law has been in place.

"I think it certainly reflects the strength of the Canton community. Even during difficult financial times, the people of Canton absorbed the information and made the decision to invest in their community,” said Bob Burr, chairman of the board of selectmen.

Under the law, the amount of property taxes raised by a community can only climb by 2 1/2 percent per year, with allowances for new growth. To raises taxes further than that, a community must vote to override the law.

Burr said the extra tax money would be used to restore a variety of cuts the town suffered in the fiscal 2008 budget. The money will be used, among other things, to hire teachers and crossing guards, and will allow the town to put its second ambulance back into service. It will also allow the town to cope with rising energy costs, he said.

The town passed a smaller override in 1982. It has also approved debt exclusion overrides, which are temporary tax increases meant to pay for capital projects, Burr said.

Burr said he didn’t expect another override proposal in town any time soon. "I'm optimistic that a request for another override is not in the foreseeable future," he said.

The override passed Thursday on a 3,638-2,470 vote, said Town Clerk Tracy Kenney.