Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Now that the votes are tallied, share your reactions to yesterday's override decision.
Well, the votes are tallied and the results are in: Newton voters passed Mayor Setti Warren's $11.4 million override package. During a special municipal election held yesterday, voters supported all three tax override questions, including an $8.4 million operating override and two debt exclusion overrides for the rebuilding of Angier and Cabot Elementary Schools. What is your reaction to the override result? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. As for his reaction to the vote, Warren told Newton Patch Tuesday night he was "proud" of the Newton voters for the choice they made. "I'm really proud of our community for making an investment in our future," Warren told Newton Patch. Warren said he was not sure what to expect for…
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Everything you need to know before voting in Newton today.
Five months after Newton Mayor Setti Warren first proposed his override plan, local voters will head to the polls today and decide whether to support the $11.4 million tax override package. Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (locations listed below). Newton Patch will bring you special election updates throughout the day today, and the results will be posted on Patch as soon as the ballots are tallied. Below is a guide to today's special election, with all that you need to know before heading out to the polls: There are three separate tax override questions on today's ballot, including an $8.4 million operating override and two debt exclusion overrides for the rebuilding of Angier and Cabot elementary schools. The questions are …
Monday, March 4, 2013
How will you vote on March 12? Submit your 1-minute video making your case to Newton voters: should they vote "yes" or "no"? Click the "Upload Video" button below or email YouTube video links to Melanie.Graham@patch.com.
After four and a half months of discussion, debate and number-crunching, the Newton voters have just a week left to decide how they will vote on Mayor Setti Warren's $11.4 million proposed override. While many may have their minds made up, there are some undecided voters out there who still need convincing -- and now is your chance to make your case before the March 12 special election. Newton Patch is inviting you to upload a 1-minute video clip with your position/pitch on the override. This is an opportunity for residents to present their evidence and have their voices heard. If you would like to upload a video, please remember the following: As you can see above, we have a couple of example videos showing support and opposition to the …
Thursday, February 21, 2013
An opinion piece from Dan Fahey urging residents to vote "Yes" on all three Newton override ballot questions.
In Newton only about 20 percent of households have children in the system. Those households are probably more receptive to the upcoming override, since its failure to pass will likely adversely affect their kids’ school experience. But what about the rest of us [e.g., empty nesters like me, whose daughter has been out of the system for eight years]? Why should we pay more taxes, when there's less direct benefit for us? One answer: Property value. Research has shown that school quality has a significant and positive impact on a city’s property values. Many families move to Newton because of our schools’ reputation and, while I believe our schools are still good, they are certainly vulnerable. Newcomers to the city are often shocked at the…
Friday, October 19, 2012
Mayor Setti Warren proposed an $11.4 million override package on Monday night that looks to rebuild schools, fix roads and improve public safety.
Less than a week after Mayor Setti Warren proposed his three question, $11.4 million override package, a group of Newton residents have formed a pro-override group to help build support for the tax levy measure. Building Newton's Future is a ballot question committee that is co-chaired by former Angier Elementary PTO Co-President Emily Prenner and Newton Schools Foundation Board of Directors member Marcia Tabenken. “Since I took office, we’ve brought our operating expenses under control,” Warren said in a press release issued Friday. “Now it’s time to fix our long-neglected roads and buildings and to create new space for our growing student population. We need to hire teachers to put in those classrooms to maintain effective class sizes. …
Martine C.
8:07 am on Saturday, March 16, 2013
As a childfree Newton homeowner, I vote no, no, no. Since so many move to Newton now for the excellent public schools, our schools are now considered overcrowded. I feel personally punished for our schools being so good. It's time for our city to rethink who pays for the school system. There should be an annual fee assessed per child actively going to our schools. My thinking is that the anyone … more ›