Norwell Town Meeting Approves $3.7 Million Override to Maintain Town Services
Residents vote to fund schools, public safety, and other departments contingent on ballot vote while also approving high school feasibility study and water treatment facility design
NORWELL - May 5 - Norwell residents vote to approve a $3.7 million operational override at the Annual Town Meeting on May 5, securing funding to maintain current service levels across town departments. The override passes with a majority vote after extensive debate about rising costs and the impact on taxpayers.
The override will result in a 6.83% increase on the tax levy in addition to the annual 2.5% increase, for a total tax increase of 9.33%. For the average Norwell home assessed at $1.02 million, this means an additional $887.47 annually, or about $221 per quarter.
"We communicated these challenges would lead to the need to respectfully request an operational override in Fiscal Year 2026," Town Administrator Darleen Sullivan explains to the packed gymnasium at Norwell Middle School.
Sullivan notes that Norwell last authorized an operational override in May 2012 for $2.85 million. That override was anticipated to last for six years, but the town maintained services for 13 years without requesting another override.
"We were able to achieve this despite absorbing additional demands and costs over the years and managing various unfunded mandates that have come our way, but we are at a point now where we do need to either make reductions or ask for an override beyond the 2.5% increase that we get on the tax levy," Sullivan says.
The override is necessary because fixed costs and expenses continue to outpace revenues. Sullivan points out that the FY26 tax levy increase of 2.5% generates $1,353,509 in new revenue, but health insurance costs alone increased by $881,360 (14.28%) and pension liability assessments rose by $568,918 (13.83%).
"This means before we even begin to fund Town and School departmental budgets, the Proposition 2.5% levy increase is already depleted," Sullivan says.
School Committee Chair Christina Kane explains that without the override, the school department would need to reduce its budget by $2,481,480, resulting in the elimination of 24 staffing positions, including teachers, aides, and administrators.
"This will result in the removal of nine freshman teams and six JV teams, an increase to the bus fees for grades 7 through 12, and families will be required to purchase school supplies for elementary school students," Kane says.
Several residents speak passionately on both sides of the issue.
Kara Vautour of Pine Street opposes the override, questioning the need for new positions when enrollment has remained flat.
"Employment growth has just outpaced our budget plain and simple and we cannot cover this," Vautour says. "Even our town administrator has publicly stated that the override is simply just a bridge and will not cover the estimated 1.3 million dollar shortfall for next year."
Aleta Scully of 241 Grove Street supports the override, citing her 23 years as a resident and her children's experiences in Norwell schools.
"I'm asking you to consider how passing this override will either maintain an amazing reputation we have which has the next generation off on a sinking clipper ship," Scully says.
After the debate concludes, the override passes with a majority vote. If approved at the Annual Town Election on May 17, the funds will support maintaining current staffing and service levels across town departments.
In other significant votes, residents approve:
- $1.5 million for a feasibility study for Norwell High School, which could lead to state funding covering approximately 40% of future construction costs for either renovation or a new building
- $1.5 million for engineering and design of a new water treatment facility to address PFAS contamination in the town's water supply
- $945,000 for infrastructure improvements at Woodworth Fields
The high school feasibility study passes with a two-thirds majority vote of 352-35. Patrick Reed from the School Committee emphasizes the importance of the study, noting that the 50-year-old building faces significant facility concerns.
"This is not a commitment to a specific project, but rather the responsible first step in ensuring that we make the best decision for our students and taxpayers," Reed says.
The water treatment facility design funding also passes with a secret ballot vote of 478-55. Water Commissioner Steve Ivis explains that the project will address PFAS contamination in the town's water supply to meet EPA standards.
The meeting concludes with residents maintaining their commitment to the Community Preservation Act by rejecting proposals to either reduce the surcharge from 3% to 1.5% or eliminate it entirely.