Norwell Officials Grapple With Budget Challenges Following Failed Override
Select Board holds first meeting in new town hall, discusses financial strategies and appoints planning board members
NORWELL - June 11 - The Norwell Select Board convenes in the town's new municipal building for the first time, marking a significant upgrade in facilities while confronting serious financial challenges following a recently rejected tax override.
"We just had the community tell us that they have no interest in an override," Select Board member Andy Reardon states during the board's June 11 meeting. "We already know we've been alerted that we have some financial challenges coming up for the town meeting in May of 26."
The meeting was the first held in the newly opened town hall at 93 Longwater Circle.
Board members express concerns about the town's financial outlook and discuss potential strategies to address budget shortfalls without returning to taxpayers for additional funding.
"Massachusetts is the second most expensive state to live in other than Hawaii," Reardon notes. "How much are we going to continue to go back to the taxpayer and take out of their back pocket?"
The failed override has prompted officials to consider alternative approaches to managing town finances, including potential service reductions, consolidation of positions, and exploring new revenue sources.
"I don't think there's any more fat to really be cut in my eyes," says member John McGrath. "I think now we're more looking at where are we optimizing? Where are we generating more revenue to meet the standards?"
McGrath points to ongoing financial pressures, including double-digit increases in healthcare costs and growing pension obligations that will reach $7 million by fiscal year 2031.
"The only way out of this is going to be revenue," McGrath adds.
Sullivan suggests creating select board liaisons for specific financial challenges, including health insurance plan design changes, trash services, fees and revenues, commercial zoning, and community engagement.
"I could use the help in those areas because in getting the communications out to the public, we should do more," Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan says. "More communication throughout the year, like forums on what we're doing and where we're at."
Reardon emphasizes the need to be responsive to taxpayers who feel overburdened.
"I remember that one individual at one of the library meetings that I went to standing up, he told a gentleman and he said, 'please just meet me halfway,'" Reardon recalls. "No true words have been spoken of, 'Hey, I'm willing to go along with whatever, but please help me meet me halfway so that I can continue to exist somewhat the way I want to.'"
The board discusses focusing on standardizing financial reports and improving data visualization to better understand budget impacts.
"We are taking a new look of how we're standardizing reports, getting more digestible information out to not only the advisory board, the select board, as well as the residents, and also in a more timely fashion," McGrath explains.
During the meeting, the board also addresses several other matters:
* Planning Board Appointments: In a joint session with the Planning Board, members unanimously approve Mark Cleveland to fill an open position. Cleveland, who previously served on the Planning Board for two years, brings a science background and analytical approach to land use issues.
* Alternate Planning Board Member: Stephen Bjorklund receives unanimous approval as an alternate Planning Board member. Bjorklund brings 43 years of land development experience and has previously served on Scituate's Conservation Commission.
* Traffic Concerns: Resident David Duggan raises concerns about school bus traffic on River Street, where he recently counted 50 cars backed up behind a bus. The board agrees to discuss the issue with school officials.
* Landers Trucks: Duggan also mentions problems with Landers trucks making frequent trips between Hanover and a concrete pipe plant, creating traffic congestion. Board members acknowledge they're aware of the issue.
The board plans to meet again in two weeks to discuss reappointments and Select Board focus areas for the coming year, with an emphasis on addressing the town's financial challenges.
"I think as a board, we need to be extremely vocal on our frugality," Reardon says. "We have a serious revenue issue and we are depending on the residential market to pay our bills."