Pepperell had their override vote, and they voted, ‘No,’ 326/700.

Sharon Mercurio, the Council on Aging Senior Directer, answered a few questions:

BM: First things first: as the Director of the CoA, what do your responsibilities entail?

SM: As the COA Director I am responsible for running the Senior Center (budget, building, staffing, programs, Meals on Wheels) and any Elder Service issues. I enjoy the position. No two days are ever alike and the people I get to meet are incredible.

BM: So — Pepperell voted no. What’s your reaction? What do you think were the determining factors in the vote?

Also, you’re quoted in the Globe saying that seniors are terrified, and that since their SS payments weren’t going up, “A lot of them are fearful of losing their homes.” What have you been hearing from seniors since the vote? How would a “Yes” have affected them? How does the “No” affect them?

SM: I really wasn’t sure which way the vote would go. I don’t know how many people actually got to the polls to vote. I think a lot of folks didn’t really understand what it was all about and some actually thought that it was a done deal when it was voted on at Town Meeting to have an Override. The seniors seem relieved that the vote didn’t pass. We’re not quite sure what will exactly happen to our budgets since the override didn’t pass. I do know some of the seniors are planning to attend school committee meetings this year and try to become more involved with what is going on with their budget.

Bridgewater voted No this past Saturday. Bridgewater committee member Joseph Gillis was kind enough to respond to a request for an interview.

Boston Metblogs: You wrote on your website:

There has been some dialog in the community about the ballot question, but for the most part it has been “quiet”. I have seen few letters in Enterprise or Independent (two local newspapers), some lawn signs out (most saying NO), and low attendance at public forums (not overflow crowds for a ‘pocketbook’ issue).

Why do you think it was “quiet?” Where do you think the other 75% of voters fall on the issue?* How would you like to see the community engaged for future votes?

(*A quarter of registered voters participated in the override vote.)

Joseph Gillis: It was quiet because many did not believe it a major enough issue to devote more than cursory time to it. There were and always will be people more deeply engaged in the topic, however the proponents never effectively framed the issue in a manner to engage the community.

BM: The Globe quotes Mildred Hasson as saying, “As far as I’m concerned, ‘a fiscally responsible override’ is an oxymoron.”

The Tauton Gazette quotes Keith Buhol as saying,

“This override addresses a lot of the ‘no’ issues from last year. To vote ‘no’ just because it is an override, and not based on any facts, is not fiscally responsible.”

Were there new objections? Do they … have a thing against schools?

JG: Mildred Hasson is engaged in the community, and willing to bring her issues forward. For that, she should be commended. People may disagree with her, but she is following the democractic process. Keith Buohl is also engaged in the community.

Not any “new” objections; more old objections – prove the case that the money is needed and will be spent
wisely.

While there will always be individuals who will frame the question on one particular group (like schools), it did not appear that the schools played any major part in the discussions.

BM: When you lose 26 teacher aides and two proctors, what happens? What changes in the classroom? What’s the change we’re looking at in class sizes? (What would they have been, had the money gone through?)

JG: This is all still ‘in discussion’. The School Committee will meet on Wednesday to review what has transpired, and vote on next steps.

BM: Anything else you’d like to talk about?

JG: Perhaps an intriguing question for voters, but “what is the breaking/tipping point?” Randolph had to sink pretty low prior to an over-ride passing there; what do the residents of Bridgewater believe is the tipping point on the matter? It is clear that through four over-rides, 3500-4000 have voted “NO”. The first and most rent both had 2000 “YES’ votes; obviously by nearly 2 to 1, the proponents did not make their case and convince voters to go and vote “YES”. So, is there a particular event or threshold for individuals?

Mike sounds off on the Beverly “No” vote:

Dawn Hames, from Citizens For Fiscal Responsibility, is quoted in The Salem News as saying “As the children would say, ‘Awesome’.” What children are saying that, as they watch their schoolrooms crowd and their after school programs dwindle, might be a matter for contention. And even those that say “awesome” might not be able to spell it. But don’t let that stop you from gloating. I’d have to side with Centerville Parent Amy McCay: “I feel sad people think about their own pocket before the greater good,” she said. “They can’t see the big picture.”

No one has yet addressed the fact that multi-million dollar estates in Beverly Farms routinely assess for about 50% of their market values (the over $1 million real estate market remains relatively un-phased by the popping of the bubble), while the homes of less affluent families are assessing at near 100% right now. Now THAT makes me want to break out the torches and pitchforks. Will city assessors look to the affluent to pay their fair share? Keep holding it…you look good in blue….

Where will the kids go? From Save Beverly Schools:

There was considerable talk about open enrollment. In the 5-school redistricting plan, Hayes has kept open enrollment students at their current school. Karen Fogarty suggested all students who open enroll be returned to their home school, and suggested that priority be given to students who have been displaced from their neighborhood school, and especially to 5th graders who will be moving again to Briscoe the following year.

Previously: Beverly Says No, Who Knew?, Prop 2 1/2 News, Andover, Holbrook/Chelmsford/Harvard/Holland/Sudbury, Canton/Brookline/Newton/Swampscott/Randolph

Live Nation announced today it is now the Comcast Center for the Performing Arts. Not that anyone around here actually called it the Tweeter Center. According to this article, it is due to Tweeter being in bankruptcy protection. So, anyone going to start calling it the Comcast Center or just going to keep calling it Great Woods?

At least one Beverly school saved:

The Beverly School Committee has approved a last-minute plan by Mayor William Scanlon to keep open one of two elementary schools recommended for closure by School Superintendent James Hayes as a deficit-reduction measure.

Scanlon’s plan, adopted on a 5-2 vote Tuesday, would close the McKeown Elementary School but leave open the Cove Elementary School.

“I’m not happy in any sense here. I really wish I could save both schools, but I can’t do that,” Scanlon said, adding of his plan, “I think it’s a better decision than closing both schools.”

But the district could avoid either school closure if voters approve a proposed $2.5 million override at a June 3 special election.

Ipswich OK’s Override:

Buoyed by a parent-led campaign, the largest voter turnout in eight years Tuesday approved a $1,491,000 Proposition 2 1/2 override for the Ipswich schools’ operating budget.
more stories like this

“If you’re going to ask for an override, it’s good if there’s a high voter turnout,” said former selectman Jim Engel. “That way, whether it’s positive or negative, it is the community that has spoken, not just a special interest group.”

Previously: Andover, Holbrook/Chelmsford/Harvard/Holland/Sudbury, Canton/Brookline/Newton/Swampscott/Randolph