With the June 4 Special Election just days away, residents will have their last chance to voice their support or opposition to the proposed $4.65 million override that was approved by voters at the Spring Town Meeting last month.
Between social media and old-fashioned letters to the editors of the local papers, residents have been extremely active in sharing their views on the override.
The override will address a town-wide budget deficit, the largest of which is schools at $4,238,687 (including $200,000 for buses and $650,000 in technology), while the townsides represent $411,313.
In a video posted on the town’s website, Library Board of Trustees member Stephanie Slate said the library has already cut $122,000 from its budget and has also reduced staff.
If passed, the override will restore $300,524 to the library budget, but Slate said that “even if the override passes, the library will not be level funded” and will still result in zero staff substitutions (e.g. when a staff member calls in sick), reduced access to databases and reduced programming.
Library Director Abby Porter said a NO vote will have a “devastating” impact on the library with layoffs of two-thirds of the staff, reduced programming and hours, and the loss of certification, resulting in the library’s ability to access the NOBLE inter-library loan program. The library will open just one night per week and will be closed on Saturdays.
The Senior Center has already made “deep cuts,” including the elimination of administration positions and downsizing of other positions, according to Town Administrator Rob Dolan. In a Facebook post, Friends of the Senior Center President Pauline Finberg said, “Our center will be decimated if the override does not pass. I urge you to ‘Save our Center’ and restore the respect and dignity our seniors deserve.”
If passed, the override will restore $149,584 to the Senior Center’s budget.
While town departments were asked to cut 2% from their operating budgets to reduce deficits, the schools proposed a budget with an 11% increase over last year. School Committee Chair Kristen Elworthy has said on multiple occasions that a failed override means 56 staff positions will be eliminated, class sizes will increase at all four schools, course offerings will be reduced, and activity and athletic fees will increase.
If passed, the override will restore $3,388,698 to the district’s budget with another $200,000 for buses and $650,000 for technology.
According to Fire Chief Glenn Davis, the town’s SAFER grant, which funded the hiring of four new firefighters, will be at risk if the override fails due to a condition that requires the town to match the grant in its fourth year. He said a NO vote may also result in the department running short-staffed, especially at night, if the department is forced to reduce the number of pieces of emergency equipment, including ambulances, from two to one.
Police Chief Nick Secatore said the police department, which by contract is required to have a minimum of three officers on the street and a sergeant at police headquarters, will likely have to revert to overtime to fulfill contractual staffing requirements.
“If we get into a position where we can’t fill a position because of the town’s fiscal position, we end up forcing overtime … and we are coming very close to it,” Secatore said.
The Department of Public Works has already undergone an extensive reorganization, including the elimination of two administrative positions. DPW Director John Scenna said the DPW has also cut two school buses at a cost of $100,000 each.
“Because we have already made substantial staff cuts and taken other cost-saving measures, our current staff won’t be impacted, but our ability to deliver everyday services and projects will be, and we won’t be able to do that if the override doesn’t pass,” Scenna said.
Special Election voting takes place in the Lynnfield High School gymnasium on June 4. The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
According to information posted on the town’s website, early voting began Saturday, May 24 at the Town Clerk’s temporary office at 525 Salem St. (Door 4) and continues through Friday, May 30, when the office will accept ballots from 8:30 a.m.,- 12:30 p.m. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot in person is Tuesday, June 3.
For more information about early and election day voting, residents should go to the Town Clerk’s Office website at https://www.lynnfieldma.gov/282/Vote-by-Mail-Absentee-Early-Voting-Infor. Residents can also email Haggstrom at ahaggstrom@town.lynnfield.ma.us or call her at 781-334-9401.
