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North
Andover
Overrides? Underrides?
Give the People a Choice
Ted Tripp
(05/07/07)
 Just as certain as the crocuses
and daffodils come up in the spring, this time of year
also brings talk of a Proposition 2 ½ override. It is,
after all, budget season and every town department pushes
for the maximum amount of money available. The schools in
particular always seem to want more than the town can
afford and are the underlying cause behind many of our
override attempts.
Not surprisingly, spring also brings us those annoying
radio and TV spots from the Massachusetts Teachers
Association (MTA). You know, the ones that have a child
saying, “We the children of Massachusetts in order
to create a more perfect education need everyone’s
help….” Then it goes on to imply how the
children will suffer if they don’t get the proper
instruction in reading, writing, math, science, art,
music and physical education. It ends by saying,
“A message from the children of Massachusetts. And
the Massachusetts Teachers Association.”
Ever wonder why you don’t hear these messages in the
fall? Or winter? You go to the head of the class if you
figured out that the MTA is only interested in separating
you from the money in your wallet during the override
season. The MTA “union” mindset is simply to
employ as many teachers and aides as possible – at
the highest salaries achievable. This is no surprise; it
is after all what unions do. The unseemly part is that
the MTA uses our kids as pawns to promote its employment
and compensation goals.
Override season is in high gear here in North Andover. It
all started several months ago when the School Committee
voted to approve a “restoration budget” that
was millions more than the town could afford. Except for
Dr. Ormsby, who voted against the unrealistic budget, the
other School Committee members have decided to play
“chicken” with the Board of Selectmen. They are
saying: Give us the millions more we want for the
schools. We don’t care how you get it. If it takes a
tax override, you better vote in favor of one and put it
before the voters. One way or another, we will get our
money.
This tactic has been used in the past. In 2002 the
schools put pressure on the board to put a $4 million
override on the ballot. The vote was unanimous, 5-0. Even
 some of the selectmen who were
opposed to the override voted to put it on the ballot.
Their rationalization was “Let the voters decide.”
This is the easy way out for elected officials. They
avoid making the tough decisions and still look like the
“Community Leader.”
There is a certain amount of arrogance and inherent
unfairness about a $70 million government entity that
forces taxpayers year after year to protect their wallets
against shelling out even more money. Why should this be
an annual battle? Why shouldn’t the residents of a
town expect to live in peace without fear of their
incomes being confiscated at higher and higher amounts?
Perhaps Francis Scott Key should rewrite the ending of
our national anthem from “Land of the free…”
to “Land of the tax weary…”
But I digress. Let’s return to the possibility of a
tax override in the next several months. To our selectmen
who really believe in the axiom “Let the people
decide,” I agree that we should let the people
decide. But to be honest in this approach, they should
give the voters a real choice. Give them the opportunity
to vote for an underride on the same ballot as an
override. Why not let voters have the choice to cut taxes
as well as raise them?
Here’s how it would work. The ballot would have two
questions on it. One would be the override for whatever
amount the town says it needs, say $3.5 million. The
second would be an underride for a smaller amount, say
$200,000. Voters could cast a yes vote for Question 1 or
Question 2. The question with the highest number of yes
votes wins. A majority no vote on both questions would
mean no change in taxes.
The smaller amount of the underride is calculated to send
a strong message about tax relief to town leaders while
at the same time not decimating town services.
This is truly a way to express the notion “Let the
people decide.” Give them the choice to reduce taxes
at the same time they have the choice to raise taxes.
Then let the selectmen and town government implement
whatever the people decide at the polls.
This approach will make town leaders think twice before
voting to put an override on the ballot when there is a
good chance beleaguered taxpayers might pass an underride
instead.
Ted Tripp is an International Consultant in high-tech
manufacturing methods. He has BS and MS degrees in
Chemical Engineering from MIT. He is also the head of the
N.A. Taxpayers Association. You can reach him at tripp@gis.net..
*Send your questions comments to ValleyPatriot@aol.com
The MAY 2007 Edition of
the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly
Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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