One Belmont Group Promotes Need For Override

Scott Ferson vividly remembers when he and his wife moved to Belmont 20 years ago. People at the time told him there were two types of individuals in the town: liberals and conservatives.

But he discovered that is not necessarily the case. In fact, Ferson believes town citizens will put aside political labels and work together for the greater good of the community.

Ferson found that to be especially true since becoming a member and the media spokesman of onebelmont.org, the ballot question committee formed in mid-April to educate residents about the upcoming Proposition 2 1/2 override vote on June 14 and help them understand why the town needs it.

"Three people who ran for the open seat on the Board of Selectmen (in April) along with members of the school committee and other town departments are working with us, in unity, to help get the word out about why we need this override to pass," Ferson said.

"We all realize the importance of civic engagement and that we get a lot more from this town than we give," he said.

And it is vital today for citizens to give something back to the town so that it can remain the excellent community they enjoy, said Steve Evans, one of the early organizers of onebelmont.org. The town requires the $2 million override price tag to fill the budget gap, he said.

"Every year, decisions have to be made (about the running of the town and capital improvements) with very little discretionary funding," Evans said. "The override will make up some of the differences."

The job of onebelmont.org is to be reservoir of financial details as well as the advocate for securing funding that will provide the services residents have come to expect.

"People are busy and don't have time to attend meetings or read about the financial situation of Belmont," Evans said. "Our role is to give them the facts."

Onebelmont.org explains the services a $2 million override will restore and the debilitating results if the override fails.

Members of the group update the website frequently and speak at public events – youth soccer games, concerts and Town Day – to let people know about the details of the budget gap going into fiscal year.

"We have to remind people that Belmont hasn't had an override in eight years," said Ferson.

He explained that since 1983, there have been 12,000 overrides attempted in the state. Belmont has had four:  in 1990 for $2 million to pay for solid waste which passed; 1993 for $1 million for operating expenses which failed; and in 2002 for $2.9 million which passed; and the upcoming June 14 vote for $2 million; $1 million going to the schools, $600,000 for the capital budget and $400,000 for general government.

If passed, taxes for an average home accessed at $700,500 will increase $765, or an additional 8.4 percent.

"The town has been very careful when it does overrides," said Evans. "When people understand the facts, we often find they're supportive of the override."

Evans, who has been a resident for six years, said he became involved in the Wellington campaign to construct a new elementary school that lasted for approximately 13 months.

"That was my reference point for getting a message out to people because even after a year, it was a scramble," he said. "So I realize how much time it can take."

Onebelmont.org will have two months to illustrate the importance of passing an override before residents go to the polls on June 14. It's a lot of work to perform the outreach and update the website but he and the other members of onebelmont.org. gladly do it, Evans said.

"This is the place I life and where I'm raising my family," he said. "Having a community is what motivates me. The services that need funding have a huge impact on all our lives."