June Special Election
Why We Say No
Here are the reasons we opose the June 11th special election for the Proposition 2 1⁄2 override question.
Cost - A special election would cost the Town approximately $30,000. With the Town being in its current financial position, spending an extra $30k on a special election is not a smart or responsible move, especially considering that we have a general election coming up in November where this question can be asked for no additional cost. Furthermore, it was predicted that our election costs will already be increasing by $119,000 to fund the two scheduled Federal and State elections, which gives even more
reason not to add to this increased cost.
Increases Taxpayers Will See Prior to an Override:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax | 2.5% | Per usual. |
| Tri-County School | $2.1 million/year for the next 30 years; $169/year for a home valued at $650k | Getting to this rate by FY27. This is a debt exclusion and means taxpayers will pay it off via increased taxes for the next 30 years. |
| Stormwater Utility | $1.50 per building unit; $10-20 increase/household | This is an approximate average for “most” households |
| Town Phosphorus Control Plan (mandated) | $30 Million over 5 years | Date unknown. “In the next few years” was specified. |
| Water Rate Increase | 8% water increase in FY24, FY25, and FY26. | This is over a 24% increase with compounding. |
| Sewer | 19% in FY23; 15% in F24; 10% in FY25. | This is over a 44% increase with compounding. |
| Trash & Recycling | $50 increase / household for FY25 | Additional increase amount for FY26 is uncertain, but the TA’s budget report mentioned “global refuse and recycling markets are experiencing significant price increases.” |
| Police Station | $40 million | Likely a debt exclusion, which means a tax increase for all for X amount of years until it is paid off. |
| Remington-Jefferson | $7 million borrowed in FY25 | Starts in FY25 |
| Community Preservation Act (CPA) | +2% surcharge on real estate tax bills |
Timing – The Town Council final budget hearings do not take place until May 22nd and 23rd. The Finance Committee final budget hearing does not take place until May 15th. A decision about a June special election needs to be made in the beginning of May. It doesn’t seem to make sense for the Town Council to sign off on an override ballot question prior to the budget being finalized.
Furthermore, a June special election
does not give Franklin taxpayers enough time after the budget is approved to fully digest the information
and understand all of the implications of a tax override (especially an override for this projected amount). The taxpayers deserve the opportunity to view all the final information in order to make an informed vote during a special election and this timeline simply does not allow for that.