Override question arouses passions of backers, foes
Retired traveling salesman George C. Tingus of Canton says he and many of his neighbors couldn't live with the average $500 increase in their property taxes that a Proposition 2 1/2 override would bring.
But, John Bonnanzio, the School Committee chairman, says the schools his three children attend couldn't operate without the infusion of funds that the proposed $4.5 million measure would bring.
Political tensions are high in town as voters prepare to vote for the second time in two years on a measure to override the state law limiting tax increases. Last year's proposal was defeated by 332 votes.
The proposed budget for fiscal year 2009 is $63.7 million.
This year's vote, set for May 15, calls for the $4.5 million to be spread over the next three fiscal years. At the end of three years, taxpayers would see a total permanent property tax increase of 9.6 percent, or $500 on average. If the override is approved, $1.9 million would be used for fiscal 2009, $1.2 million for 2010, and $1.4 million for 2011.
The measure received a boost last week when the Finance Committee endorsed the override, 8 to 2. The vote followed both School Committee and selectmen's approval of the measure.
Whether for or against the proposed tax increase, everyone agrees that this is a time of tough decisions for the town of 21,000 residents. Last year the town made about 5 percent in cuts across all department budgets and its unions accepted no increase in pay as part of one-year contracts.
"I think, without being overly dramatic, it would be a disaster for the town if this is defeated," said Bonnanzio. "It would certainly be a disaster for education in Canton."
The total override sets the school portion at $3.5 million, and the town government portion at a little over $1 million.
With it, the School Department would restore about 20 teaching and staff positions, reduce elementary class sizes, increase class selections at middle and high school levels, and purchase textbooks.
Also, it would eliminate user fees for transportation, extracurricular activities, and athletics that are expected to rise to $500 per sport next year.
The town government would largely restore much of what was cut last year, including crossing guards; three firefighter positions, to enable the town to operate two ambulances on a 24-hour, seven-day basis; and funds for public works and library staff hours.
The override also would offset increases in energy, operating, and mandated costs as well as providing some wiggle room for upcoming negotiations with unions.
Bonnanzio, who has his house on the market, described what he called the ironic situation of having a person decide he wasn't interested in buying the house because "he hadn't been hearing great things about Canton schools."
"People need to realize that there is a cause and effect. We are asking people not to just invest in the schools. We are asking people to invest in their community," he said. "Canton can do more."
Schools Superintendent John D'Auria said class sizes of more than 30 students and large study halls now are "very, very challenging," and he called the expected fees of at least $500 for each sport "exorbitant."
"Primarily the problem is that it creates two tiers: those who can afford to do these things and those who cannot," D'Auria said.
But Tingus accused town and school officials of "not living in reality."
"I've got neighbors who are barely holding on to their homes," Tingus said at a recent meeting of the Board of Selectmen and in an earlier interview.
"The Canton public schools are not supposed to be Milton Academy. When I went to school I had 40 kids in my class and I graduated from college," he said.
Another override opponent, Selectwoman Avril Elkort, said her main objection is: "It is a permanent tax increase for a temporary fix. It basically gives us few years of spending as we've been spending and then what? It's time we worked with the money we have within the budget we have," said Elkort, who added that she is still hopeful that some of the cuts made last year can be restored with money the town holds in reserve.
"If we're not in a recession, people feel that we are," she said. "They notice every time when they fill up their gas tank, go to the grocery store, or pay their heating bill."
The first unofficial testing ground for the override may be the town elections to be held April 8. Local boards and candidates' forums in contested races for selectmen and the School Committee have been peppered with questions on the override as well as on how two major redevelopment proposals would tax town services. Selectmen Victor D. Del Vecchio and Bob Burr are both running for reelection and both have come out in favor of the override. Challenger John J. Friel is one of two Finance Committee members who voted against the override.
The School Committee race has three political newcomers seeking two seats on the board. Candidates Liz Salisbury and Tim Brooks are supporting the override, while David Cahill said last week that he had not yet made up his mind.
More debate will follow as Town Meeting kicks off on April 28. Information on the override is available at the town website, at town.canton.ma.us.
Elaine Cushman Carroll can be reached at elaine_carroll@msn.com.
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