Tax climate depends on where you are

Override season south of Boston begins in earnest this week.

On Saturday, Walpole and Scituate voters will decide the fate of a property tax increase that officials say is needed to maintain local services. East Bridgewater will follow suit a week later, on April 7. And Kingston voters will discuss whether a similar increase should go to a ballot at their April 9 Town Meeting.

Three of those towns -- Walpole, Scituate, and Kingston -- have demonstrated a willingness over the past five years to approve overrides.

East Bridgewater, meanwhile, has not had to. The town until recently had enough revenue, thanks in part to the fees the town collects from Browning-Ferris Industries' landfill on Thatcher Street. But the landfill is closed now, so the income is gone, leaving the town no way to pay for a growing list of capital projects.

Officials in East Bridgewater have therefore decided to pursue an option approved just a couple of years ago by the state Legislature : They will ask taxpayers to approve a permanent to increase in the yearly tax cap by $1.25 million to create a capital projects stabilization fund that would be used as needed to pay off long-term loans.

If the measure passes, it would mean a $270 annual tax increase to owners of a median house of $370,000.

While officials say the tax increase is a smart way to ensure necessary projects get done, not everyone is convinced. Resident James Weidenfeller is among those who prefer to approve individual debt exclusions to fund projects as they arise. "That's how it's been done before, and that's how it should be done," Weidenfeller said.

Walpole officials have a plan similar to East Bridgewater's for a portion of the $3.9 million up for approval this Saturday. About $1.3 million will be placed in a stabilization fund each year to provide level services and some modest staff additions in fiscal years 2009 and 2010.

The full measure would mean a $448 annual increase in the taxes on a median home of $457,000. Kate Hinton, an officer in the pro-override group "Win2007," pointed out that the amount is tax deductible, so it brings the total down to $350. "We've figured it that closely," Hinton said.

Saturday's contest in Walpole will not be a cake walk, even though the override has been vigorously promoted by Win2007. The presence of a strong anti-override faction is evidenced by the "Vote No" signs popping up on local lawns. "Nobody likes higher taxes," said override supporter Taso Markatos, a parent who added, "I'm voting for it for the kids."

Scituate voters, meanwhile, will consider a menu of five override proposals. They include a pair of permanent tax hikes: one for $2.7 million and a second for $600,000 to cover the salaries of eight new firefighters.

The three temporary measures are to pay for school equipment, a new senior and community center, and a fire station and truck.

Scituate's record for approving tax increases has been unbroken. Two permanent increases have been approved over the last 25 years. And the current override got a preliminary nod from the Town Meeting in March.

The impact of all five questions equals a $485 annual tax hike on a median home of $500,000.

In Kingston, Town Meeting voters on April 9 will be asked to consider five tax increases totaling $1.6 million. Two of the overrides, about $1.2 million, are for schools. The remaining three will bolster public safety, public works, and general government.

If any or all pass, a special election will be set to secure the necessary ballot vote. According to the Kingston Finance Committee, the need for an override stems from escalating employee health and pension costs and rising out-of-district student tuitions and transportation costs.

Over the years, Kingston has shot down seven of the eight overrides proposed.

Based on the value of an average home of $407,000, the yearly tax increase on the total $1.6 million would be $320.

Easton Selectwoman Colleen Corona -- who led a successful override in Easton last June and has since become something of a guru on how to get voter support -- has advised several towns statewide looking at promoting tax increases this spring.

Corona, who taught a course at Massasoit Community College on the topic, said Easton was successful because promoters worked at the grass-roots level. "We were using Deval Patrick's method even before he used it," Corona quipped.

For towns where overrides have failed, Corona suggests that cuts resulting from that failure be made public. "Unity of elected officials is also very important," Corona said. "It is important to realize that everyone is not going to agree on the amount or destination of funds, but agreement can usually be reached on the necessity for an override."

Christine Wallgren can be reached at CLWallgren@aol.com.