Paxton voters reject three Proposition 2 overrides – Worcester Telegram

Craig S. Semon Telegram & Gazette Staff @CraigSemon

PAXTON - Voters werent feeling that generous Monday as they voted against three of the five Proposition 2 questions facing voters in the annual town election.

Voters defeated a Proposition 2 levy limit override question for the Wachusett Regional School District budget, a Proposition 2 debt exclusion question for site plans and initial design of a new Department of Public Works facility, and a Proposition 2 capital expenditure exclusion question for money toward window replacement for the John Bauer Senior Center.

Again rejecting a measure already defeated at last weeks annual town meeting, voters defeated a companion ballot question asking for a Proposition 2 levy limit override for $190,092 to fully fund Paxtons $6,065,107 assessment for the regional schools budget for fiscal 2018. The vote was 173 against and 124 in favor.

Last week, Paxton became the first of the five towns in the school district to reject its share of the budget. At Rutlands annual town meeting on Saturday, voters passed an amended school budget of $2,683,134, short of the school district's request for $3,071,172. Four of the five district towns (which also includes Holden, Princeton and Sterling) have to approve their assessments for the school budget to go forward.

Both the DPW facility and senior center window replacement questions had passed at town meeting, but failed in the election.The DPW question vote was 160-136, while the senior center question lost 168-130. The Proposition 2questions needed voters' approval at both the town meeting and election to move forward.

Voting 1,135 in favor and 161 against, voters did pass a Proposition 2 capital expenditure exclusion for $70,000 toward Town Hall exterior repairs.

With a 155-143 vote, voters also passed a Proposition 2 capital expenditure exclusion for $41,910 for a new Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle to replace the Police Department's 2008 Ford Crown Victoria police cruiser.

Both the Town Hall and police cruiser questions also passed at town meeting.

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Paxton voters reject three Proposition 2 overrides - Worcester Telegram