Mixed results on tax hikes north of Boston

In Ipswich, voters approved a property tax increase to provide more money for the schools by a solid margin. In Beverly, a similar request drew a decisive thumbs down from residents.

In towns and cities north of Boston, proposed property tax hikes drew a mixed reception at the ballot box this spring. Eighteen ballot proposals were considered in 10 communities, with 10 passing and eight failing. The successful votes included five overrides and five debt exclusions. Rejected were three overrides and five debt exclusions.

A state law, Proposition 2 1/2 caps the annual increase in a community's property taxes at 2.5 percent plus revenue from new growth. An override permanently raises the tax cap; a debt exclusion raises the cap temporarily to repay debt; a capital exclusion raises the cap for one year to pay for capital projects.

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