Brookline OK's tax override; Shrewsbury rejects increase

As many towns across the state grapple with revenue shortages and skyrocketing costs, voters in two area communities yesterday delivered different verdicts on property tax hikes to support operating budgets: Brookline voters overwhelmingly approved a $6.2 million hike while Shrewsbury voters rejected a $1.5 million increase.

The split mirrors statewide trends so far in asking voters to override the state's property tax cap of 2.5 percent a year. Overrides for operating budgets, prior to yesterday's votes, had passed in five communities (pending a recount in one), and failed in five others, according to the Massachusetts Municipal Association.

The association expects about 30 cities and towns to ask voters to raise property taxes this year to support municipal and school budgets, prompted by lower-than-expected increases in state aid, falling property values, and diminishing excise tax receipts.

Along with the measures in Brookline and Shrewsbury, a town meeting in Marblehead passed property tax increases for two school building projects, although the moves still require a vote at a special election, and in Rockport, a $2.73 million debt exclusion to fund a series of capital needs, including a firetruck and school buses, was approved.

History appeared to play a role in yesterday's votes. Brookline's success echoed that of 14 years ago, when officials last asked voters to support an override for an operating budget. In Shrewsbury, voters have never passed an override for an operating budget.

Nevertheless, the battle in Brookline was hard-fought. Officials attributed their victory to the excellent organization among proponents, who went door to door advocating for passage and who also called nearly all the parents of school-age children. Throughout the town, lawn signs encouraged residents to vote for the overrides.

"We are delighted, ecstatic, thrilled," said Selectwoman Betsy DeWitt , who cochaired the Yes for Brookline campaign with Judy Meyers, chairwoman of the school board.

The $6.2 million question passed by a 5,236 to 4,305 vote, according to unofficial results. The measure restores world languages in all eight K-8 schools and extends the school day by 20 minutes without additional hires.

Voters also had a choice to approve an override question for $5.4 million. That passed by a larger margin of 2,400 votes, but the ballot questions were structured so that if both passed the one with the highest dollar amount would prevail.

While proponents packed a house party to celebrate, opponents last night began taking down their antioverride signs. Override opponent Roger Blood of the Coalition Against Unfair Taxation warned in an interview last night that if town and school officials fail to rein in spending in the coming years, the town will face a $2 million annual deficit.

"The proponents now have a responsibility; they made a bargain with the voters," he said. "They need to show the political will to make the changes and cuts necessary."

On the table are decisions that might avoid future cuts: joining the state health insurance plan, reining in costs for substitutes and sick-time, and cutting down on part-timers with benefits.

In Shrewsbury, the $1.5 million override went down by a vote of 5,212 to 3,545, according to preliminary results released last night by the town clerk's office. About 42 percent of voters turned out at the polls, approximately 10 percent fewer than last year when voters rejected a $5 million tax hike.

Town and school officials warned at a news conference last week that the failure of the vote would lead to the elimination of nine teaching positions and cuts to the Meals-on-Wheels program, Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services, and the library.

In Marblehead, proposed property tax increases for two school building projects were passed at Town Meeting. In separate votes, the meeting approved the town's expenditure of $21.8 million to overhaul the Village School and $395,000 for a study related to the proposed construction of an elementary school to replace the Glover and Eveleth schools.

In Rockport, by a vote of 1,230 to 509, voters passed a $2.73 million debt exclusion to fund a series of capital needs, including a firetruck, four school buses, school technology, town computer systems, school roof repairs, and firefighter breathing apparatus.

The votes in Marblehead and Rockport are to increase taxes temporarily, while operating budget hikes are permanent.

More than 60 cities and towns are expected to ask voters this year to increase their property taxes to support either operating budgets or for special projects, according to the municipal association.

Lisa Kocian of the Globe staff and Globe correspondent John Laidler contributed to this report.