What To Know About Newton Override Special Election

NEWTON, MA – Newton residents will head to the polls Tuesday to vote at a special election on a Proposition 2 ½ override proposal.

The proposed override consists of three ballot questions: two questions on debt exclusions to provide funding for the Countryside and Franklin school projects, and a third question on an additional $9 million for municipal and school operating and capital expenses.

Combined, the debt exclusion and operating override total $14,975,000.

Here’s a breakdown of the proposed override projects and the annual funding amount:

• Supporting Student Needs ($4,500,000)
• Horace Mann Elementary School ($775,000)
• Parks, Fields and Playgrounds ($1,000,000)
• Sustainability and Climate Resilience ($500,000)
• Plant and Nurture Trees ($500,000)
• Senior Services and Programs ($500,000)
• Street Paving and Street Safety ($1,400,000)

And here’s a breakdown of debt exclusion projects:

• Countryside Elementary School ($2,300,000)
• Franklin Elementary School ($3,500,000)

Proposition 2 ½ refers to a 1980 Massachusetts law that limits the amount of property tax revenue – called "tax levy," or simply "levy" – a community can raise through property taxes.

Under Prop 2 ½, a community’s levy limit automatically increases by 2.5% of the prior year’s cap. With voter approval, a community can pass an override to exceed its limit.

Newton voters have approved overrides twice: in 2002 for $11.5 million and in 2013 for $8.4 million.

Polling hours run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can see their estimated property tax increase from the override using this calculator, and can see their polling location using this interactive map.