BEVERLY — The citizens group opposing a Proposition 21/2 override is inviting the public to a meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Beverly Farms library.
Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility plans to come up with other options for solving the school budget crisis that would not raise taxes, said Elliott Margolis, the group's founder.
"We've got a dozen or so solutions to the problem, so we're being proactive," he said.
Margolis cited two examples — having teachers pay more for their employee health insurance and pushing the city to collect from delinquent taxpayers.
Margolis said he invited about 10 people to the group's meeting on Monday at the main library, and 25 showed up. After next Tuesday's meeting, the group plans to meet every Monday night — except for Memorial Day — at the main library between now and the June 3 override election.
Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility has ordered 250 lawn signs, which will start going up around the city this weekend, Margolis said.
The group formed in response to Yes for Beverly, a citizens group that has organized in favor of the proposed $2.5 million property tax override. Yes for Beverly presented about 2,600 signatures to the City Council from people in favor of an override election.
Superintendent James Hayes has proposed closing Cove and McKeown elementary schools, laying off 61 employees, and making other cuts before September to close a $2.6 million gap between spending and revenue.
Yes for Beverly is hoping for an override to give the city more time to explore other options. Taxes would go up $185 per year for the owner of a home valued at $450,000.
Margolis can be reached at 978-337-5334. The Yes for Beverly Web site is www.yesforbeverly.org.
