Franklin asks voters to approve $6.8 million override at June 11 special election

FRANKLIN — Early voting is underway for a special election in which residents are being asked to raise an extra $6.8 million in real estate and personal property taxes to help balance the town's budget for fiscal 2025.

Should the so-called override pass, the average residential taxpayer will see his or her annual bill rise by more than $550 in fiscal 2025, which begins July 1.

Most of the override money — $6.3 million — would go to Franklin Public Schools for such items as contractual obligations, special education and to make up for "lost revenue from dissolving grants and federal revenues, as well as restore many services cut in FY23 and FY24," according to an override pledge made May 1 to residents by the Town Council.

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The remaining $500,000 would go toward "increases to general town and school facility operating expenses," according to the pledge.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, at Franklin High School, 218 Oak St. The override is the only question on the ballot.

"The troubles that we're dealing with at the local level are largely driven by the inflation-related issues with expenses and cost of goods," said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen, in reference to the proposed override. "Like a lot of communities across the Commonwealth, we're struggling to be able to maintain all those services within the Proposition 2 1/2. Therefore, it has come to our attention a request from the School Committee to try and look at an override to help try to patch the school budget for fiscal 2025."

Hellen added that problems facing Franklin Public Schools are similar to those in other school districts.

"School districts have seen huge increases due to inflation, with costs from business, labor personnel, additional needs for students and cost increases that were unforeseen," he said. "Ultimately, a majority of the money is going toward the Franklin Public School District to try to make their budget solving and sustainable for the long term."

What is an override?

State law limits the total amount of property taxes that a city or town can assess each year. This limit cannot increase by more than 2.5% per year, plus the impact of any new growth.

However, residents can "override" this limit by majority vote. The override enables a community to permanently increase its levy limit

Overrides are not uncommon in Massachusetts. Just last year, Hopedale voters approved a $1.35 million override to avoid the closure of the town's library and senior center.

More: 'The town had no money.' Hopedale approves $1.35M override to balance town budget

How will this tax bills?

For the current fiscal year, the average tax bill in Franklin is $7,667, according to town documents. Based on the tax rate of $11.79 and the average single-family home value of $650,377, a $6.8 million override would increase the average residential tax bill by $552.82 for fiscal 2025, according to the override document, in addition to the normal annual increase allowed under Proposition 2 1/2.

The actual increase for each homeowner is based on the assessment of his or her home.

What happens if the override doesn't pass?

Failure to pass the override would result in the town being forced to make more than $6 million in fiscal 2025 budget cuts. According to One Franklin, a municipal ballot question committee formed by several residents, cuts "would be felt most significantly to the school system," but that other areas like police, fire and DPW would also be affected because certain education mandates must be prioritized.

According to a document produced by the town of frequently asked questions, officials would also need to consider such options as employee health care estimates, draining revolving accounts and increasing user fees.

What do I need to know to vote?

Early voting has begun. The Town Clerk's Office is hosting in-person early voting during its normal business hours. There will also be one scheduled weekend session — from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 1 — when people can vote at the Town Clerk's Office.

Vote-by-mail or "absentee" ballots are also available, but they must be requested by the voter from the Town Clerk's Office.

All registered voters are eligible to vote in the special election, whether they choose to do so early, by mail or in person on Election Day. The last day to register is June 1.

This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Franklin special election on June 11 determines $6.8 million override