Override Fails in Belmont

In a result in which voters demonstrated their reluctance to approve higher taxes in hard economic times, Belmont voters defeated a $2 million Proposition 2 1/2 override that was to used to bridge a structural gap in the town's budget.

The unofficial results was 3,o43 voting for the override and 3,431 voting against the ballot question.

In addition to the current economic climate, the election saw the inclusion of a series of controversial automated calls to residents in which an unknown group or individual sponsored both push polls, also known as smear polls, and robo calls that voiced support of a no vote in which statements concerning the use of the funds - to pay for town employee salaries and raises - were label by town officials and override supporters as false and misleading. 

The result of the override defeat will result in a drastic decrease in school and public safety personnel, higher fees for residents and students, the likely loss of the town ambulance and a great reduction in capital infrastructure projects.