Letter: Why I'm Supporting Hanover's Override

Why I'm supporting the override.....

Because the town is facing significant fiscal challenges that require a robust, impactful and sustainable solution to get back on track. Difficult times require difficult solutions.

Situation Analysis

Last year’s budget cuts, due to the failed override gutted the school system – a disservice to our young people, who the town should be fighting for, not leaving shorthanded. Thirty six pink slips were handed out leading to increased class sizes, loss of college prep classes, empty/dark classrooms, lost extracurriculars, increased study halls/silent reading time and missed opportunities for kids entering the crossroads of their lives. Our schools now rank in the bottom 15% in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in student:teacher ratios. This year, Police and Fire are facing cuts. In fact, it has been contemplated that the Police Dept would have to let go of their civilian staff, forcing the station on Rt. 139 to “go dark”- surely Hanover can do better!

Affordability

Town leaders have worked hard this year at achieving compromises that keep this year’s override at a much more affordable level than last year’s. I believe this was a good faith effort to meet the opposition where they are; last year, folks said the proposed average of a $1,400.00 property tax increase was too high for many – and that proved to be true at the ballot box. This time around, the town and its leadership got creative with efforts to reallocate certain funds, use some free cash and ask department heads to get creative and resourceful. If you include a dump sticker (which not everyone will need) to the override property tax increase this year, the total cost is around $1,000.00 per year - $250.00 a quarter to begin building back on a real path of fiscal health and prosperity.

Hanover’s Future

This year’s override also takes the future into consideration. The future fiscal situation looks increasingly bleak if this were not to pass. This is not a scare tactic, it’s just reality. The Library, DPW, Council on Aging and other departments have become unfortunate targets in this conversation. This is because, if the current trajectory does not change, cuts will have to be made. As a School Committee candidate, I would adamantly oppose further cuts to the schools; and as a resident I personally oppose cuts to Police and Fire. The next logical places to start looking at are places like the Library, DPW and Council on Aging. We need to remain a highly desirable town to move to, and unfortunately these amenities and services that most are accustomed to, would obviously become targets.

A strong public school system is vital to the well-being of Hanover and would benefit all residents– not just young families.

- Christopher Tracy