Embedded Files
Annual Town Election - Sat, April 26
Below are a sampling of video and Letters to the Editor from our Community
"Eight years ago, my family got more involved in this town - volunteering, campaigning and urging our neighbors to invest in the town’s best interest and its future. I am raising two “Townies” – soon-to-be 5th and 8th graders. They love their schools and their teachers. My husband and I want the best for them. We want them to have a well-rounded education that includes the arts, music and world languages. We want them to be challenged and not be lost in a crowd of oversized classrooms.
In 2019, after going through the failed override attempts of 2016 and 2017, I decided to join the Finance Committee. I have been serving on the board ever since. So, for 5 years, I have been up close and personal with our budget process. While I would never say that we are perfect, I can tell you that our town departments do the absolute best they can year after year with what they are given. And it’s not much. We all have seen the impacts of inflation. It has also hit our town budgets hard. We have gotten by using non-recurring funds, our Stabilization fund and free cash as band-aids. We are now at the point that there are no more band-aids. We cannot keep going back to our Stabilization and free cash wells year after year. Those funds are vital to our financial stability. This year we are facing the elimination of 29 positions at Norton Public Schools, inadequate staffing for our fire, police and human services departments and the closure of a fire station. Without overriding Prop 2 ½, what will that mean for next year? Passing an override doesn’t mean that we will go on a spending spree. My hope is that our elected and appointed officials will continue to work together to be as fiscally responsible with our tax dollars as possible.
The State is not coming to save us this fiscal year and more than likely any time soon. There isn’t a billionaire coming in to build us a “Patriot Place.” We have to fund our town. We have to INVEST in our town. The only source of potential income right now is if we come together, VOTE YES, and pay a little more in taxes. We have to pass this override. Every vote counts on Saturday. Every. Single. One. If you don’t take the time to get out and vote, don’t complain about the outcome – whatever that may be. "
- Paula Daniels
In 2019, after going through the failed override attempts of 2016 and 2017, I decided to join the Finance Committee. I have been serving on the board ever since. So, for 5 years, I have been up close and personal with our budget process. While I would never say that we are perfect, I can tell you that our town departments do the absolute best they can year after year with what they are given. And it’s not much. We all have seen the impacts of inflation. It has also hit our town budgets hard. We have gotten by using non-recurring funds, our Stabilization fund and free cash as band-aids. We are now at the point that there are no more band-aids. We cannot keep going back to our Stabilization and free cash wells year after year. Those funds are vital to our financial stability. This year we are facing the elimination of 29 positions at Norton Public Schools, inadequate staffing for our fire, police and human services departments and the closure of a fire station. Without overriding Prop 2 ½, what will that mean for next year? Passing an override doesn’t mean that we will go on a spending spree. My hope is that our elected and appointed officials will continue to work together to be as fiscally responsible with our tax dollars as possible.
The State is not coming to save us this fiscal year and more than likely any time soon. There isn’t a billionaire coming in to build us a “Patriot Place.” We have to fund our town. We have to INVEST in our town. The only source of potential income right now is if we come together, VOTE YES, and pay a little more in taxes. We have to pass this override. Every vote counts on Saturday. Every. Single. One. If you don’t take the time to get out and vote, don’t complain about the outcome – whatever that may be. "
- Paula Daniels
"I graduated from Norton High School in 2021. I had many amazing teachers along the way that guided me in my academic journey and helped prepare me for my coursework at Boston College. I am voting YES on the override because I want my little sister to have the same quality of education and academic opportunities that were available to me!
-Madeline Dolack
Thank you Madeline for your support!
-Madeline Dolack
Thank you Madeline for your support!
"I have lived in Norton almost all my life. I’m a proud product of the public school system, married a Norton girl, helped raise our two sons who graduated from Norton High, served decades as an unpaid volunteer town official, and have relatives laid to rest within this town’s borders.
In other words, I’m a Norton townie.
And like pretty much everyone — townie or not — I dislike paying higher local taxes.
Now chronologically classified as elderly, I don’t have kids in the school system anymore. I don’t use the athletic fields. Everything is more expensive these days, and the value I get directly for my tax dollar is decreasing.
So, according to stereotypical demographics, I should be voting against the ballot proposal to raise property taxes in excess of the Prop 2-1/2 limit, something Norton has never done since Prop 2-1/2 took effect back in 1982. After all, what’s in it for me now?
The answer is a lot. And that’s why I’m voting Yes.
Being able to afford to live in a community is obviously critical, but the quality of life in that community is important also. A town with declining services and a slowly decaying educational system does not help a single resident or taxpayer. That’s why tough decisions occasionally must be made, and they will affect people differently
In the 42 years since Proposition 2-1/2 came into effect, Norton has never approved any operational increase in the tax levy limit over the allowable 2-1/2%. It is one of the few communities in Massachusetts to hold that status.
For 42 years the town has lived within its means. It offset the rapidly rising costs beyond that artificially imposed limit with a combination of shifting to fees, utilizing grants, tapping reserve funds, and reducing services. But common sense dictates you can’t keep that up for 42 years without suffering long-term negative consequences.
I care about having strong public safety and quality education in town — not just “adequate,” but good; not the fanciest, not the most expensive.
But Norton citizens deserve better than adequate. They deserve to have their fire and police stations actually open and well-staffed.
Growing up in Norton, there were folks of all ages who struggled to pay taxes and support their families. There always has been, and always will be. Just like you can’t set the taxation standard for a town based upon the ability of its wealthiest residents to pay, you also can’t base it on those who can least afford it. There will always be people who struggle, and we need to help them in many ways.
But one adjustment in 42 years is hardly excessive. It is overdue, it is necessary, and failing to approve it will result in deep cuts that will seriously undermine public safety and the education of children.
I love the Norton I grew up in. But I love the Norton I live in now, too. And it has financial problems that can no longer be ignored and postponed.
I got to be a townie with the support of good people over the years. Now it’s my turn to help pay that forward."
-Bill Gouveia
Bill Gouveia: It's time, Norton | Columns | thesunchronicle.com
In other words, I’m a Norton townie.
And like pretty much everyone — townie or not — I dislike paying higher local taxes.
Now chronologically classified as elderly, I don’t have kids in the school system anymore. I don’t use the athletic fields. Everything is more expensive these days, and the value I get directly for my tax dollar is decreasing.
So, according to stereotypical demographics, I should be voting against the ballot proposal to raise property taxes in excess of the Prop 2-1/2 limit, something Norton has never done since Prop 2-1/2 took effect back in 1982. After all, what’s in it for me now?
The answer is a lot. And that’s why I’m voting Yes.
Being able to afford to live in a community is obviously critical, but the quality of life in that community is important also. A town with declining services and a slowly decaying educational system does not help a single resident or taxpayer. That’s why tough decisions occasionally must be made, and they will affect people differently
In the 42 years since Proposition 2-1/2 came into effect, Norton has never approved any operational increase in the tax levy limit over the allowable 2-1/2%. It is one of the few communities in Massachusetts to hold that status.
For 42 years the town has lived within its means. It offset the rapidly rising costs beyond that artificially imposed limit with a combination of shifting to fees, utilizing grants, tapping reserve funds, and reducing services. But common sense dictates you can’t keep that up for 42 years without suffering long-term negative consequences.
I care about having strong public safety and quality education in town — not just “adequate,” but good; not the fanciest, not the most expensive.
But Norton citizens deserve better than adequate. They deserve to have their fire and police stations actually open and well-staffed.
Growing up in Norton, there were folks of all ages who struggled to pay taxes and support their families. There always has been, and always will be. Just like you can’t set the taxation standard for a town based upon the ability of its wealthiest residents to pay, you also can’t base it on those who can least afford it. There will always be people who struggle, and we need to help them in many ways.
But one adjustment in 42 years is hardly excessive. It is overdue, it is necessary, and failing to approve it will result in deep cuts that will seriously undermine public safety and the education of children.
I love the Norton I grew up in. But I love the Norton I live in now, too. And it has financial problems that can no longer be ignored and postponed.
I got to be a townie with the support of good people over the years. Now it’s my turn to help pay that forward."
-Bill Gouveia
Bill Gouveia: It's time, Norton | Columns | thesunchronicle.com
"Vote YES if you care about Norton's futureTo the editor,The possibility of a Proposition 2 1/2 override in Norton has once again aroused lively debate.There are some who are convinced that the town should continue to get by on a budget that doesn't come close to paying for basic necessities.One of the arguments for voting NO seems to center on those who are elderly and/or on a fixed income, as if only people under retirement age will benefit from a vibrant and active community.My husband and I are "elderly" and we are living on a fixed income. We have lived in Norton for more than 50 years. We are voting YES because we care about our town, our grandchildren, and the future of the town that we love. We urge all citizens of Norton to support our town's future by joining us in voting YES.Mary LarocqueNorton"
As printed in Sun Chronicle
As printed in Sun Chronicle
Thank you to Heather Treannie, world language teacher at NMS, for your video message supporting voting YES for Norton
"Hello! We’re Matt Drane, a Norton native, and Karen Drane. We have been proud homeowners in town for over 15 years. Our two kids attend Norton Public Schools. We want our kids to have access to things like diverse electives and AP classes in high school and world languages in middle school. We value music and art. Our daughter plays the flute in the band, and we’re concerned that proposed cuts will harm the program. Eliminating 5th-grade band and middle school band class will essentially destroy the band program.We also want to ensure that Norton Police and Fire, the Senior center, the Library, Parks and rec, and more, are able to continue to provide the needed services to our community today and for years to come. We want to ensure that all the students in Norton Public Schools receive a quality education. No one wants to pay more taxes, but these are investments we feel are worth it, because that is what communities do. Join us in voting YES on July 13th! It’s time to invest in our community and for everyone to come together for Norton."
-The Drane Family
-The Drane Family
"To the editor:I don't like paying taxes, but I also don't like the possibility of not having a police officer available to respond to an emergency.I don't like paying taxes, but I don't like the possibility that a fire truck won't be available if my house gets on fire.I don't like paying taxes, but I'm concerned that if I or my wife have a medical emergency that an ambulance won't be available to help save our lives.I don't like paying taxes, but as a retired educator I value our educational system and I don't want our children to be denied a quality education.I don't like paying taxes, but as a senior citizen I want my fellow senior citizens to receive the services they deserve.I don't like paying taxes, but as an Army veteran, I want my fellow veterans to receive the benefits that they deserve.I don't like paying taxes, but as a former town official I want our town employees to be secure in their jobs.So, as much as I don't want to pay higher taxes, it is more important that our town provides the services that all townspeople deserve.For that reason, I will be voting to raise my own taxes by 6.5 percent (*clarifying note in comment*), and I don't like paying taxes."-Ken Cabral Norton
As printed in Sun Chronicle
* would be voting to raise the levy limit 6.5 million, not percent.*Thank you Calista Thompson for your video message supporting voting YES for Norton
"To the editor:I am here to say that as a parent of two kids in Norton schools (and the husband of a teacher), I am in favor of the Norton override which will be on the special election in July.After that sentence, you might also think it’s weird because, I am a cheap, thrifty person. How cheap? My car had crank windows until 2022. (I have lots of examples, but that one’s the winner)You have heard about all of the staff cuts and reductions the town would need to make to deal with the budget with no override.None of it is very pleasant. Neither are taxes.Norton has scrimped, saved, spent from free cash, and made cuts along the way over the past decades.Could the town have made different choices in the past? Probably, but it didn’t -- and the voters signed off on it. But we are here now, at the proverbial fork in the road.Do we agree to an increase in taxes to help support our police, fire, and schools? Or do we allow these massive cuts to go into effect?Is the timing great? No. But you see the impacts of the budget we have today. I won’t restate them all. Is that what you want?My father always taught me, you get what you pay for.I think Norton should pay for an override to help support the services we all use. If you feel differently, that’s your right.Everyone’s vote is their own. Mine will be "Yes."Timothy GriffinNorton"
As printed in Sun Chronicle
"When you have and support a family of any size or any age(s), folks often rely on a phrase that "It takes a village" to grow, sustain, love, and include said family in the world.Our village-- this town-- is why we will be voting YES on Norton's Special Election ballot on Saturday, July 13, 2024. We are a blended family of six: some of us moved to Norton nine years ago, and some of us have been in and around Norton for over 25 and 30 years. (It's a great town, and it can and *should* be even more awesome!) As change is manifested in any family, we each recognize the need for consistent incremental and substantive investment in and change for our village.We want to continue invest in the Senior Center and public health positions so that aging relatives have access to services they need for their health and wellness and continued education and development (being a well-informed citizen does not stop when you graduate from schools!), and so that folks with any kind of health-related issue can seek out and be supported in being directed to the resources they need in times of both calm and crisis. We want to continue to invest in collaborative senior and youth programming to share resources and knowledge, and foster a deeper sense of community. This can't happen without a full staff.We want to continue invest in our town library and library personnel, which (and who) provides numerous resources for education, accessibility, inclusion, and belonging for our town, and gives all town members the ability to seek answers to questions and support their curiosities and interests while also building community through bookclubs, workshops, and meeting spaces. The library is-- and similar town services are-- so much more than books and/or a building.We want to continue to support and grow our municipal services: we are relatives of police officers and fire department personnel. We know first-hand that investing in the safety of our town-- at the very least keeping our police station open and maintaining two fire stations-- is essential to the health and wellness of our community. The health and wellness and capacity of our community will be severely diminished should we not choose to invest regularly in our municipal services.We want to invest in our kids. Our (younger) kids attend Norton schools which are wildly underfunded compared to comparable and neighboring towns. Our teachers, our administrators, and our school staff infrastructure, our parents, our coaches, our volunteers, our TOWN needs our growing investment in education beyond the basics. (What are "basics" in this insane and upside-down world now anyway? How are we supposed to prepare our children if we are not supporting and preparing their teachers and mentors?) Consistent and growing investment in languages, music, art, athletics, STEM, special education services, health education, universal access to pre-K and K, partnership with local higher-education institutions, partnership with, between and among other municipal services (!!!): it all requires investment and are all known (and proven!) to contribute to the revitalization of towns and municipalities. Without this investment, Norton will assuredly grow stagnant and stuck, and almost assuredly, the vibrance of this town that once attracted so many, will change for the worse. The education of and investment in our younger population will sustain and better this town. After all, our younger population may come up with better ideas on how to effectively manage and support this town because of their stellar access to public education!Pennies are pinched, and expenses are expected to only increase. This is a difficult reality. That said, we prepared to help educate what resources are out there, and and explain why we whole-heartedly support the YES on both the $4m and $6m override to grow, sustain, and collectively continue to nurture our village: for our family and for yours."-Kate BoylanThank you Kate for your support!!
"I'm a volleyball mom, a proud band parent, and a paraprofessional for NPS who is voting YES for our town because I want: a thriving band and music program, art classes for all NPS students, World Language instruction in middle school, AP classes at the high school, math and reading intervention for our district's struggling learners, adequate school nurse coverage, and that's not all - I also want the peace of mind that comes from knowing our town has adequate police and fire department coverage, and I want a thriving senior center, recreation and library services! Please join me in showing up to vote YES on July 13th! It's fiscally responsible to vote YES!"-Donna Dolack
Thank you Donna Dolack for your video message supporting voting YES for Norton
"I work for the town of Norton as a music teacher/band director and I absolutely love my job. I’ve been teaching middle school/elementary band for 12 years with only one of those being in Norton, but I understand why so many people enjoy working in this town. There are great people here and the students are wonderful.
If Norton does not vote Yes to pass the override on July 13th, I will give you just the facts on what happens to our students from a music perspective. They lose out on the opportunity to participate in all aspects of band. No more 5th grade band, no more middle school band (6th, 7th, 8th). That right there effectively destroys the band program. Once you take band away, it’s very rare that it ever comes back. You might think that band would be great as an after school club but now you’re competing with sports and all of the other clubs out there. Student choices are drastically reduced and they now miss out on so many more opportunities.
Band creates and promotes community, family, discipline, creativity, and fun through learning. Music helped to shape me into the person I am today and I am so grateful for not just the music educators in my life, but all of the teachers I had throughout school. I’ll leave you with a quick statistic that struck me hard as I thought about the upcoming vote.
Thank you for reading and I hope you’ll consider voting Yes to the override."
-Doug Dufrene, Music Teacher at the Yelle
If Norton does not vote Yes to pass the override on July 13th, I will give you just the facts on what happens to our students from a music perspective. They lose out on the opportunity to participate in all aspects of band. No more 5th grade band, no more middle school band (6th, 7th, 8th). That right there effectively destroys the band program. Once you take band away, it’s very rare that it ever comes back. You might think that band would be great as an after school club but now you’re competing with sports and all of the other clubs out there. Student choices are drastically reduced and they now miss out on so many more opportunities.
Band creates and promotes community, family, discipline, creativity, and fun through learning. Music helped to shape me into the person I am today and I am so grateful for not just the music educators in my life, but all of the teachers I had throughout school. I’ll leave you with a quick statistic that struck me hard as I thought about the upcoming vote.
Thank you for reading and I hope you’ll consider voting Yes to the override."
-Doug Dufrene, Music Teacher at the Yelle
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