Property tax increases approved in Hamilton and Wenham

Voters in Hamilton and Wenham supported a total of four Proposition 2 ½ overrides at elections held Thursday. Included in that was a "yes" vote for a Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District Proposition 2 ½ operating override totaling $1,889,589, to be split between the two towns.

The closest vote came at the annual town election in Hamilton, where a $1,288,322 school district override passed by 37 votes, 1,420-1,383. Hamilton voters also supported a $177,444 Proposition 2 ½ override for the town operating budget, 1,566-1,206.

Town Clerk Jane Wetson said that the 49 percent voter turnout may have been a record for a town election.

At a special election in Wenham, the $601,267 school district override passed by 750-500. A $153,000 one-year capital exclusion to buy equipment for various town departments also passed, 767-479.

"This is an extremely significant milestone in our history since it is the first time in many years that we will go forward with a level services budget that addresses our students' needs and retains talented staff members," Marinel McGrath, district superintendent, wrote in an e-mail. "We understand this is a large override and know it will put strain on some people. Going forward it will be important to work with all groups in our towns to make our collective voices heard at the state and federal levels that we need a change in how our schools are funded. I thank all Hamilton and Wenham voters for supporting their schools. As a result of their votes, I can say, unequivocally, that the state of the district has never been better!"

-David Rattigan