Winthrop voters will determine the fate of three Prop. 2 and 1/2 override questions this Saturday, April 5.
Question 1 seeks a $38 million debt exclusion override for the construction of a new fire station at the site of the former middle school near Ingleside Park on Pauline St.
We should note that a debt exclusion override is not a permanent tax hike — the increase on the tax rate will last only for the life of the bond. When the bond for the fire station is paid off, the tax increase will disappear.
No one disputes that the Fire Department’s present ancient and antiquated facilities (which were designed to house horse-drawn fire wagons at the turn of the 20th century) are wholly inadequate and need to be replaced. Town officials had presented a proposal for a more expensive public safety facility at a different location that was soundly rejected by the voters in late 2023. Town officials listened to the voters and now have come back with a plan that addresses the urgent need for a new fire station.
The other two questions are Prop. 2 and 1/2 override requests that pertain to the public schools. The first (Question 2 on the ballot) seeks $3.5 million, the amount that is needed to close the schools’ impending budget deficit for the coming school year of FY26.
If voters do not approve this question, school officials say there will be staff and program reductions, increased class sizes, and increased student user fees for athletics and other activities that will be felt immediately by the town’s public schoolchildren starting July 1.
The second (Question 3 on the ballot) would earmark an additional $1.45 million annually for a School Stabilization Fund. According to the proponents of Question 3, “A YES vote on Question 3 would result in funding $1,450,000 to a School Stabilization Fund, creating a fund that will support future school budgets by enabling the School Committee to seek approval of the Town Council to utilize the funds or a portion of the funds during a fiscal year for the general operating expenses of the school department. A stabilization fund allows the schools to maintain a steady level of funding, address unexpected and rising operational costs, and supports the district’s strategic planning and operational school district goals.”
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday for the special election.