I encourage all North Andover registered voters to go to the polls in support of the proposition 2 ½ override on June 19.  We should not focus on the past but rather move forward together to restore critical services to public safety, senior center, library, youth center and, yes, the schools.  Even with the passage of this override, not all services eliminated or reduced in any one department will be fully restored. 

As a member of the Finance Committee, I have seen how the past few years have adversely impacted every department in town, and not just the schools.  A number of people have asked me how we got into this financial quagmire.  Opponents to the override will point to poor management decisions.  I personally believe there is not one factor that brought the town to where we are today; but rather a number of reasons.

In 2003, the State started curtailing the Town’s funding.  By 2004, the State reduced North Andover’s net funding by approximately 26% - receipts were cut 20% while Assessments charged to the Town increased by more than 40%.  This resulted in a $1.8 million loss to the Town.  The State has subsequently increased funding to North Andover, but also dramatically increased the assessments charged back.  Over the last five years the average percentage increase in State Receipts is just over 1%, while the average percentage increase in State Assessments is in excess of 30%.  In Fiscal Year 2007, for every dollar the State gave in additional receipts, 60 cents went right back to the State in increased Assessments.  Now add the increases in utilities, health insurance, contractual obligations, combined with the additional costs of unfunded mandates and you have just some of the reasons our Town is struggling to provide services each year.

This year is different than the past for many reasons.  The budget cuts spoken about actually happened and we are experiencing the impact today.  Although the school department is especially hard hit, all municipal departments have had trouble providing services year to year.  Currently, the Police Department does not have enough funding to keep the ideal number of cruisers out on the road for a community of our size.  The Senior Center has suffered with the loss of the program director, affecting a number of programs for our shut-ins.  While we do not have a State or Federal mandate to take care of our seniors, we have a moral obligation to do so.  Our Library staff suffered reductions, even though they have experienced an increase in patronage due to the closing of the school libraries.  In fact, for the last three out of four years our Library did not qualify for State funding as a direct result from the lower level of funding.  Thankfully, the Town received waivers to the requirements because the reductions were shared by all Town departments.  This past year, North Andover was one of 15 communities, out of 351 in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, asking for special consideration to receiving this funding waiver.  The Youth Center lost 25% of the staffing even though it services roughly 3,300 youths.  Despite the gallant effort made by all Town employees, all departments are struggling to maintain services to our citizens.

The cost of the override is approximately $34 per $100,000 of your current assessed home value.  For example, if your home has a current assessed value of $300,000, the override will add approximately $102 per year or $1.96 per week to your annual tax bill.  The Eagle Tribune continues to quote the average increase equating to $200 per year.  Please be aware that the $200 per year figure is what you would contribute if you owned a home currently assessed at $588,000. To understand the specific impact to you, I encourage you to pull out your latest tax bill or go to the Assessor’s web site to find your current assessed value (http://csc-ma.us/NandoverPubAcc/jsp/Home.jsp?Page=1) and calculate the impact using the amount mentioned above. 

The $1.65 million override is not the sole solution to solving the Town’s financial problems, but it’s a step in the right direction.  Our elected boards recognize that and are taking steps to change the way our local government does business.  The resolution signed by the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Finance Committee demonstrates an effort to work together, in a fiscally responsible manner, to support the future of our community.  A “no” vote will not punish our elected boards for past decisions; rather, it will continue to hurt the services provided to our most vulnerable citizens, our seniors and youth.  We need to stop looking at the past and look forward to solving our problems.  A “Yes” vote is just one step towards putting North Andover back on track to providing necessary services for ALL our citizens.   

Melinda Coppa
North Andover, MA