Natick voters must decide on $7M override at town election
NATICK — Residents will vote on a $7 million override at next month's town election.
The Natick Select Board approved a ballot question that would ask voters to approve a $7 million override to plug the budget. The Select Board unanimously approved the $7 million option over $8 million and $6 million proposals.
Select Board Vice Chair Bruce Evans said voting on the override was difficult, but overdue.
“The last override that we had was in 2008 for FY2009,” he said, adding that the previous override was designed to last up to five years, but ended up sticking for 17. “I think we’ve been running the town rather efficiently.”
“The times are not the best right now, it’s a period of uncertainty, so people are understandably nervous,” Evans added.
'Structural challenges':Natick residents could vote on $8 million override next spring
Evans said town revenues are being outpaced by extenuating factors such as inflation, student needs that were exacerbated by COVID-19 and expiring one-time COVID relief funds. The $7 million ask is down from a previously proposed $8 million.
If approved, the override would increase property tax bills beginning July 1, the start of fiscal 2026. According to the town's override webpage, property tax bills would have an average increase of $453 a year, or $38 a month. That's based on Natick's median single-family home value, which is $780,400.
Should the override fail, town departments would experience more permanent reductions, including reductions already slated for the next the fiscal year. Evans later clarified that up 48 positions would be cut across town departments, including in Natick Public Schools. Up to 41 would be in the schools and seven would be in municipal departments.
Select Board Chair Kathryn Coughlin told the Daily News that town departments must present assurances to voters so that the town does not have another override by 2030.
What is an override?
State law limits the total amount in property taxes that a city or town can assess each year. This limit cannot increase by more than 2.5% annually, plus the impact of any new growth.
However, residents can agree to "override" this limit by majority vote. The override enables a community to permanently increase its levy limit.
Overrides are not uncommon in Massachusetts. In 2023, Hopedale voters approved a $1.35 million override to avoid the closure of the town's library and senior center. Last June, Bellingham voters passed a $750,000 override to fund the hiring of six additional paramedics for its fire department.
'Going to be decimated':Franklin voters reject $6.8 million override in special election
This spring, Hudson also appears ready to vote on an override to address a growing structural deficit projected in both the school and municipal operating budgets in fiscal 2026.
Natick voters previously approved an override in 2008. At the time, the extra tax revenue was necessary for the town to keep up with services and increasing costs. The town administrator at the time, Martha White, said the town previously avoided overrides in the past by relying on influxes of taxes from large developments.
Natick annual town election scheduled for March 25
Natick's annual town election is scheduled for March 25. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The last day to register to vote in-person for the town election is Saturday, March 15, at 5 p.m. Natick resdents can register online at www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr. The deadline to register online is March 15.
Residents can also apply to vote by mail by downloading an application online. The completed application can be sent to vote@natickma.org. The deadline for a vote by mail ballot is 5 p.m. on Monday, March 17.
https://www.metrowestdailynews.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/02/25/natick-ma-voters-must-decide-7-million-dollar-override-proposal-town-election-march-25/79083666007/