Jan 19, 2007 10:28 pm US/Eastern
'No' To 2.5 Overrides Could Mean Big Budget Cuts
by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
In our special series of reports, "Project Mass," we looked at people across the state who are saying "no" to paying more taxes. As such, communities trying to raise additional money by asking for proposition two and a half overrides are getting a rude awakening.
They have an emergency on their hands in Rockland and the warning bells can be heard across the state.
The Rockland Fire Department Chief, Mike Sammon, is dealing with budget cuts since residents said no, overwhelmingly, to a proposition two and a half over ride last fall.
The fire station is empty once the two trucks leave meaning a third emergency call can go unanswered.
"It's a recipe of danger I am not alone, I am not the only town with this problem," Sammon said.
In Rockland, residents also said no to fixing the domed library roof so the town archives are covered in tarps to protect them from several leaks.
"People don't get it they must realize that the infrastructure around them is crumbling," said Rockland Police Chief John Llewellyn.
In Rockland they also said no to buying new police cars so older cruisers are having their engines rebuilt.
For municipal leaders it's a troubling yet undeniable trend. Rockland is not alone. More and more communities across the state are emphatically saying no to over rides.
According to the Mass Municipal Association, in 2005, about 40 percent of the over ride questions failed statewide.
In 2006 70 percent of those questions failed, and this year, the failure rate is expected to be higher.
Even residents in the wealthy seaside north shore town of Ipswich said no to an override in 2006.
"Even if they think it's a good idea even if they want to fund street improvements and better schools they can afford anymore," said Ipswich Town Administrator Robert Markel.
In Rockland the hours of 911 operators are being cut and some young fire fighters are about to lose their jobs.
"I am a newly wed basically my whole is only right now because I don't know if I am going to be employed or not," said Rockland firefighter Brad Flannery.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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