Everyone FOR Norton
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Investing Today for a Stronger Tomorrow: Everyone FOR Norton!
Norton faces a crucial decision regarding an override to finance its annual operating budget. The current levy limit (maximum property tax collection) is insufficient to cover inflation in costs like labor and utilities. Without a step up in the levy limit, important services will be affected, including the School Department, Fire and Police Departments, new Senior Center, and others. Residents are encouraged to educate themselves, attend town meetings, and spread awareness to build a brighter future for Norton.
WHY ARE WE HEARING ABOUT AN OVERRIDE THIS YEAR?
Put simply, the amount of money we can raise from property taxes is no longer sufficient to run the day to day services of the town. The levy limit (the maximum amount that the town can collect from property taxes) is not indexed to inflation. Due to Proposition 2 1/2, without an override, that total amount can only be automatically increased each year by up to 2.5%, plus new growth. Unless we have a lot of new growth in town, that 2.5% increase on the existing value of the town is not enough to offset recent high inflation in costs like labor, utilities, insurance, etc. This coupled with a reduction in various Covid-era grants leads us to the situation we are in today.
Without a step up in our levy limit, we will have to eliminate services that our town and students depend upon across various departments.
Numerous towns throughout Massachusetts have enacted one or more overrides since the passage of Proposition 2 1/2 in 1980 to finance their municipal budgets. This year, we face that crucial decision ourselves.
WHAT IS THE AMOUNT OF THE OVERRIDE?
At a joint meeting on April 11th, the decision was made to present 3 budget options to Town Meeting, two of which would require the passage of an override. Ultimately it is up to all of us at Town Meeting (May 28th) to set and approve the budget (or for this year, 3 budget options) and then approve a ballot question for the Proposition 2 1/2 override.
HOW CAN WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER?
First, educate yourself about how our town government works. We have a growing list of FAQs on this site and links to various videos.
Second, attend upcoming town meetings and ask questions, including the all-important "Annual Town Meeting" on May 28th.
Third, spread the word to your friends and neighbors. We all do better when we are better informed.
TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR NORTON
Want to help support ensuring our Town services are properly funded?
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Photos used on this site provided courtesy of Laura Gustafson