Brookline voters this spring may face the question of whether to raise property taxes by more than $7 million.
A report by the Override Study Committee showed that the town's underfunded capital and maintenance budget - covering such things as sidewalk repair and interior painting - will take a $1.5 million override to cover. And $3.5 million will be needed to cover Brookline's budget gap in the fiscal year starting July 1, $1.8 million to lengthen the school day, and $800,000 to restore world language instruction in the elementary grades.
The ballot on May 6 could include one or more measures to increase taxes by overriding Proposition 2 1/2, the state law that limits a community's increase in property tax revenue to 2 1/2 percent a year, plus revenue from new growth.
Two of the nine members of the committee argued against an override for the deficit and school programs, saying that cuts in personnel are the only way to bridge future budget gaps. The committee unanimously agreed that town officials need to take immediate steps to study and perhaps implement such cost-saving measures as increasing class sizes.
Selectmen heard the report on Jan. 15, and the committee plans to answer questions from the public sometime this month, followed by a public hearing Feb. 12. For the May 6 vote, selectmen have until March 25 to approve the placement of any override questions on the ballot.
ANDREAE DOWNS
