Norwell Faces Critical Override Vote to Maintain Town Services

Without $3.7 million override, significant cuts expected across all departments

NORWELL - April 2 and April 16 - Norwell residents face a critical decision on a $3.7 million operational override that will determine the future of town services across all departments. The override requires approval at both the annual town meeting on May 5 and the town election on May 17 to pass.

Town officials presented detailed information about the override and potential impacts during a recent public forum, explaining that the town's expenses are outpacing revenues, creating structural deficits that cannot be sustained without additional funding.

"We've experienced some significant challenges when funding the operating budget for at least the past three years," says Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan. "We need to come to the people and either ask for an override or we need to make some cuts and balance the budget."

The override would generate $3.7 million in additional tax revenue, resulting in an estimated tax increase of 87 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For the average single-family home valued at $1,000,020, this represents an annual increase of approximately $870.

If the override fails, residents can expect significant reductions in services across all town departments. The town has prepared two budgets for consideration at town meeting – a base balanced budget (Article 2A) and a supplemental contingent budget (Article 2B) that depends on the override passing.

School Superintendent Matthew Keegan outlines severe impacts to the school system if the override fails, including the elimination of 24 positions – approximately 10% of school staff.

"We will be cutting that $2,481,480 and having the exact same budget this year as next year," Keegan says. "Because we have costs that we must meet, we're going to have to cut positions to make that work."

The cuts at the elementary level would include eliminating two librarians, two literacy specialists, two classroom teachers, four building-based aides, in addition to multiple teaching positions at the middle and high school levels. Nine freshman athletic teams and six JV teams would also be eliminated.

The Police Department would face significant operational changes without the override. Deputy Police Chief Jay McDevitt explains the department would reduce civilian staffing and limit public access to the station.

"We currently have police clerks working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," McDevitt says. "Without the override, we would have to reduce staffing levels, retain only one clerk working business hours Monday through Friday, and the Police Department would be closed for business purposes outside those hours."

The Fire Department would lose one position and face cuts to overtime, resulting in reduced minimum staffing levels. Deputy Fire Chief Bill Milne notes this would cause delays in response times for second calls and limit the department's ability to perform paramedic duties according to OEMS guidelines.

Highway, Tree and Grounds Director Glenn Ferguson describes dramatic consequences for his department, including the loss of one full-time employee and all recycling staff. The recycling center would close on Saturdays, and the department would have to eliminate its high school and college student worker program.

"The winter storms concern me a lot," Ferguson says. "I work pretty hand in hand with Matt Keegan, the Superintendent, to make sure that we get our kids safely to school and home. If the highway is not moving, police and fire aren't going to move."

The Norwell Public Library, which serves nearly 50% of Norwell's population with active library cards, would face reduced hours and programming. Director Rachel Breen explains the library would fall below state funding requirements, potentially leading to decertification after five years if funding isn't restored.

"Decertification means that Norwell would not receive State Aid funds," Breen says. "It also means that the library wouldn't be able to participate in the reciprocal borrowing program, which gives residents access to millions of items across the state."

The Council on Aging, which serves 28% of Norwell's senior population, would eliminate one position and reduce transportation services. Director Susan Curtin emphasizes the interconnected nature of town services.

"We work very heavily with fire and police on any given day," Curtin says. "I think what's important is to hear the information and make a decision that's right for you as a family, as a household."

Town officials attribute the need for an override to several factors, including rapidly increasing fixed costs like health insurance (up 14.28% this year), pension obligations, and other insurances that have been rising at three to four times the rate of town revenues.

Sullivan emphasizes that even with the override, the town faces ongoing financial challenges and will need to work on reducing costs in areas like health insurance and pension obligations.

"We know we have a structural deficit," Sullivan says. "We may be looking in a few years for another override or more cuts."

The annual town meeting will be held May 5 at 6:30 p.m. at the middle school, with the town election following on May 17.

Presentations available via Norwell Spotlight TV. April 2 and April 16.