By Steve Landwehr
Staff writer
May 16, 2008 12:23 am Two towns were of a single mind for at least one night, but by the narrowest of margins. A controversial $1.9 million Proposition 21/2 override to increase the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District's operating budget for the coming year won easily in Wenham, but made it by just 37 votes in Hamilton. School Committee members and administrators who had been pacing the hallway outside the principal's office at Winthrop School in Hamilton erupted into cheers when the voting results were announced. At stake were the equivalent of nearly 17 teachers, teaching assistants, textbooks and other instructional materials. "Thank God!" School Committee Chairman Richard Boroff said. "It was a tough fight, and it was for the kids." A group of school backers called Support Our Schools formed two years ago and mobilized an energetic e-mail campaign this year that extended until just hours before the polls closed at 8 p.m. Throughout the past months, they circulated message after message decrying further cuts in the school system. "We're excited" about the result, said Nancy Peterson, one of three chairwomen of the group. "We understand the economic hardship this is for many people in our community, and we're totally committed to working together to change the situation." Opponents of the override came together under the banner Enough is Enough. They began meeting just five weeks ago, and one member said that may have contributed to their defeat. "Getting in late may have hurt our chances," Hamilton resident Robert Sica said. "I'm actually kind of gratified we accomplished a great deal." By the numbers, Wenham voters were 750-500 in favor, with three blank ballots cast. Hamilton's results were 1,420 for, 1,383 against, with six blanks. About 47 percent of Wenham's eligible voters went to the polls, while 51 percent of Hamilton voters turned out. Hamilton's share of the override is about $1.29 million, while Wenham's is about $600,000. The cost for the average taxpayer in both towns will be about $393 every year. Hamilton resident James Kent called the first meeting of the override opponents. He said last night the group tried to make its point that they weren't opposed to the schools, they simply felt the yearly overrides the communities have faced in recent years have become unaffordable. "Nobody won tonight," he said. "It (the narrow voting margin) says we need to work together to solve our problems." Both groups have complained that the problem is lack of state funding, and they joined together for a trip to Beacon Hill to call for a change, but came away dissatisfied. Suburban schools stand little chance of getting additional state aid anytime soon, and both sides agree the community can't continue to be so sharply divided year after year, particularly in Hamilton. School Committee member Catherine Harrison sympathized with people who feel strapped by increased taxes to pay for the school system. "It's a very big override," she said. "I don't want to undervalue that, it's a lot of money." The agreement between the two towns avoided one nightmare they have faced before. Because the override was part of the approved school budget, defeat in either town would have required another round of voting. In other votes last night, Hamilton voters agreed to a municipal operating budget increase of $177,000 to retain a variety of town services. It will increase the average homeowner's property tax bill by $54 a year. Wenham voters agreed to a bonding bill of $153,000 to purchase a number of new vehicles. This tax increase will last only until the bonds are paid off. Property taxes will increase by just under $92.
Upcoming override votes Beverly June 3 Ipswich May 20 Marblehead June 17
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