Reflecting tight financial times, Oak Bluffs voters yesterday defeated three funding measures for Proposition 2 1/2 overrides and debt exclusions for next year’s operating budget, while narrowly approving three others.
At a special town election voters approved an override request for $236,119 for the balance of Oak Bluffs School budget by a vote of 414-353. They also approved an override for the balance of the town’s share of the regional high school budget of $157,294. The high school override vote was symbolic; the town is obligated to pay its district assessment because the other Island towns have already voted to approve their share. If voters had rejected the override, the balance would have needed to come from the town operating budget.
Voters were in a less giving mood for the third override question which asked for $57,000 to pay for several lifeguard positions at the town beach. The question was defeated 444-317. A debt exclusion question for $99,000 for the purchase of high school busses was also rejected 380-369. Another debt exclusion for $136,500 that would go toward the first bond payment for the Leonardo property adjacent to the wastewater facility was defeated 433-306.
A final override totaling just over $177,000 to pay for repairs to the town bulkhead was approved 399-342.
The town selectmen and finance committee are scheduled to meet today at 4 p.m. at the town hall to discuss the special election results and any resulting changes to the town operating budget.
A complete story about the Oak Bluffs special town election will appear in the Friday Gazette.
Comments
Comment policy »