Keep Framingham Affordable
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| $85M override pitch ruffles feathers | Friday, December 17, 2004 |
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| David McLaughlin 508-626-4338 | Metrowest Daily News |
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FRAMINGHAM -- The town manager's plan for an $86 million override to pay
for a host of building renovations and roadwork came under fire last night
for skirting the typical planning process for costly projects.
Jeanne Bullock, chairwoman of the Capital Budget Committee, argued the items on Town Manager George King's list belong in the capital budget that her committee manages and passes on to Town Meeting for funding. Bullock also questioned the scope of the hefty proposal, warning the town could lose out on reimbursement money from the state if it moved too quickly with renovations at the Fuller and Stapleton schools. "Do we really want to put a three-level parking garage out in the back (behind the Memorial Building)? Can we really afford it?" she said. King made his case last night for the debt exclusion override to members of the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen. The $86 million plan includes renovations to the Memorial Building, a new Saxonville fire station, a new McAuliffe branch library and extensive additions to the Bowditch Athletic Complex. The scope of the plan, King said, is "up for legitimate discussion," but represents the town's infrastructure and building needs. "I don't make these recommendations lightly, and I don't sit here insisting they need to be done," he said. Paying for all the projects will mean bigger tax bills for homeowners for 25 years. According to the proposal, single-family homeowners will see an average tax hike of $152 during that period, with the peak increases reaching more than $200 for seven years. Town officials will now turn to a committee -- made up of members of the Finance Committee, Capital Budget Committee, selectmen, and the Standing Committee on Ways and Means -- to determine how to proceed. "I think this is the beginning of a conversation," said Selectman Katie Murphy. Selectman Charlie Sisitsky and Finance Committee member Dennis Giombetti pushed for a committee to dive into the override proposal and make recommendations about its priorities and how to fund them within six months. But the idea appeared to lack support among members of the three committees. Selectman Ginger Esty argued there was no need to set up "yet another task force." "There's something wrong with the process," she said. "I don't think the information is enough or has been thoughtfully given or researched." King has said he does not have a specific time line in mind on when the proposal would go to voters. |
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