Marblehead Votes Approve First Proposition 2 1/2 Override In Over 2 Decades

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead voters bucked the trend of more than two decades of opposing general operation budget overrides as they voted to support all three of the proposed tiered Proposition 2 1/2 overrides in Tuesday night's annual election.

Per the election rules, the largest override figure to receive at least 50 percent of the vote will be adopted. That will be the $15 million tier 3 override, despite it receiving the least support of all three options.

The tier 3 override received about 54 percent support, according to unofficial results, with the $9 million tier 1 override receiving 67 percent support and the $12 million tier 2 override receiving about 61 percent support.

Tier 3 was promoted as the "invest" override that would begin to fill unfilled positions and make improvements that have been delayed or eliminated in recent years.

According to town officials at an override forum earlier this spring, the tier 3 passage means phased property tax increases of $430, $720 and $386 annually over the next three years.

Voters also approved a proposal to assess an additional $2.3 million in taxes to fund trash, recycling and waste removal services for the town. That proposal passed by more than a two-thirds majority.

Marblehead voters faced contested races in Select Board, School Committee and other townwide offices.

Select Board member Erin Noonan won re-election where she will be joined by Rosanna Ferrante in the three-person race for two seats. Current School Committee member Jennifer Schaeffner failed in her bid to jump to the Select Board.

Former School Committee member Sarah Fox was unable to win back her seat, as she was on the outside looking in among the three candidates for two School Committee seats.

Melissa Clucas and Ann Marie Jordan were the two candidates who prevailed in that race.

More on Patch:

• Override Vote, Trash Fee, Contested Select Board, School Committee Races On Marblehead Ballot
• Marblehead Town Meeting Sends Proposition 2 1/2 Tax Override Vote To Ballot Box
• Marblehead Pushes Tiered, Phased Prop 2 1/2 Tax Override To Save Staff, Services
• 'Survival Mode': Marblehead Library Director Makes Plea For Tax Override Tiers