$15.5 Million Override Passes at Special Election

Residents voted 1,964 to 1,090 Friday to finalize the $15.5 million addition to the budget for the school building project. The appropriation was first approved at Special Town Meeting Monday and is now final. 

There wasn't much cheering when the results were announced. As Selectman Steve O'Leary put it, "none of us wanted to be here."

Selectmen Chairman Sean Delaney said he was relieved when he heard the results, but did not think it was a celebratory night. 

"We've got some healing to do in this community," he said. 

School Committee member Gerry Venezia said he was pleased that it passed, but admits he was nervous.

"It's a lot of money to ask for. We never wanted to come back and ask for additional funds but it was neccessary, so I'm glad it passed. I'm sorry that it's costing so much but we have to get it done and we have to finish it the right way," he said.

Since the additional funds were approved, the project will remain on schedule, items will not be removed from the budget, the MSBA will still reimburse the original amount planned and there will be no annual impact on the operating budget. The school will be built the way it was originally designed.