Schools, town pin hope on tax hike

While most of the attention in Tuesday's town election has been focused on the proposed $13.6 million tax increase to purchase Hamilton Farm, voters will also consider a $1.3 million hike to cover the fiscal 2008 budget. If that is rejected, officials say, serious cuts will follow in the schools and at Town Hall.

Town Manager Mel Kleckner and Superintendent James Marini said defeat of the Proposition 2 1/2 tax override could mean a reduction in Town Hall staff and office hours as well as the loss of a police clerical position, two crossing guards, and 20 to 30 teaching positions.

The Department of Public Works would also take a substantial hit if the override fails: Three custodians would be laid off; all planned overtime would be eliminated; and vehicle maintenance staff would be cut. Also, the town library would risk decertification, and the average class size in Winchester schools would balloon to over 30 students at all grade levels.

"We really are trying to live within our means," said Selectman Roger Berman. "I don't think [$1.3 million] is too low, I don't think it's too high. It's what we can say to voters, 'Do this and see what we're able to do.' "

The chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Thomas Howley, has called this fiscal year the "perfect storm" of fiscal factors, and through a line-by-line audit the selectmen were able to close a sizable budget shortfall. But at least $1 million more is needed to offset school costs and $300,000 to maintain current town staffing levels.

Marini makes the case that rejection of the override also could mean cuts to sports teams and professional development for teachers, and more students in study halls. "We need 4.5 percent [increase] just to open the doors next year," said Marini. "This budget is born of necessity and in response to enrollment increases."

Spurred by a 100-student increase in enrollment in the last year and rising healthcare costs and pension payouts, the total proposed town budget including the tax increase would be $73.8 million, a 4 percent increase over last year. For a resident whose house is valued at $755,000, which is the average in Winchester, the override would add $188 to the annual property tax bill. But that bump, combined with $154 per year for the next 20 years for the Hamilton Farm purchase, means the same homeowner would be paying $342 more than last year if both questions pass.

Residents like John Natale think that is asking too much.

Natale, who is fundamentally opposed to overrides, was the lone person to speak and vote against the Hamilton Farm purchase at Special Town Meeting last month. If the town does not purchase the 20-acre farm, it will probably become the site of a 260-unit apartment complex.

Natale said he will vote against both questions at the ballot box.

"In the real world, if you are overspending on your credit card or not able to pay your light bill, Visa is going to cut off that card and N Star is going to shut your lights off," said Natale. "If the government cannot live within their budget, then they rip it up, draw up a new one, and increase our taxes. It's disastrous."

Natale said he has concerns about crossing guards being cut back, but thinks the town officials could find more money by not paying so much in employee health insurance benefits or by revamping the pension system.

"Overrides have become a way of life, and someone has to stand up and say it's not right to keep spending and overspending," said Natale.

But town and school officials argue that they have been doing what they can to control costs. Some of the budget burden has been shifted to school parents and others following the defeat of a $4 million override in 2004.

School leaders say that parents have already picked up the lion 's share of extracurricular activity costs, and bus fees have skyrocketed from $345 per child in 2002 to $525 this year.

Winchester is also one of the few public education systems in the state that accepts money from a nonprofit education foundation to supplement teacher salaries. In fiscal 2007, Winchester's Promise Fund gave $410,000 to keep class size s down and maintain certain school programs.

Kleckner, the town manager, said Governor Deval Patrick cited Winchester as an unfortunate example of budgetary woes at January's Massachusetts Municipal Association meeting because of its use of private funds for public education.

Still, approval of the tax override for the operating budget wouldn't alleviate the need for others in the future, according to Selectman Berman.

"There is no promise here that in doing this we won't have to do it again next year," said Berman. "We are laying people off and people in the classrooms are sharing books.... It's bad. But we keep trying to live within our means."

A budget forum will be held tonight at 7:30 at McCall Middle School. Sponsored by the selectmen and School Committee, the meeting will detail the ins and outs of the $1.3 million tax increase proposed for Tuesday's special election. Residents interested in learning more about the budget process or proposed override will have the opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For a list of polling locations visit www.winchester.us.