ASHLAND

Residents at last night’s Town Meeting supported the appropriation of $2 million in property taxes from a proposition 2 1/2 override. The override, which would be the first in Ashland’s history, will be voted on at the town election May 15.

Town officials have requested the money in order to hire dozens of staff members for the town departments, including the police, fire and schools. Residents spent an hour debating the article pertaining to the override, before voting 162-98 in favor, providing the necessary two-thirds majority.

-- Kyle Alspach

ASHLAND

Ashland Town Meeting voters will consider a roughly $2 million override on May 2 to reverse some of last year's budget cuts and fund a handful of new positions.

Town Manager John Petrin says the override would raise the average tax bill in the town by $342. If residents OK the override at Town Meeting, it will go before voters at a townwide election May 15.

Town officials had been mulling different figures, finally settling on a request of $1,998,111, with most of the money going to personnel, including three police dispatchers, four firefighters and four teachers.

-- Kyle Alspach