The ‘Can’t Fail’ Override Question

Wednesday’s Town Council meeting is expected to include a vote to approve an override question on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Up for a vote on Wednesday evening will be Resolution 23-55 “Authorizing the Placement of a Debt Exclusion Ballot Question Relating to the Town’s Allocable Share of Debt Service on Debt of the Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical School District on the Ballot for the Town Election to be Held on November 7, 2023.”

This vote comes in advance of the vote to approve the project, which occurs across the district on October 24. But that proforma exercise will pass based on the total vote district wide. It is universally expected that parents and friends of Tri County will show up to vote and will vote yes, and no one else will notice.

When the vote passes (not if), Franklin will be obligated to come up with a funding mechanism for its portion, thus the move for an override.

The override itself is also a “can’t fail” proposition, in that attempting to squeeze Tri-County spending out a municipal budget that we are already told is at the breaking point, would guarantee sharp cuts in spending, and howls of outrage.

Still to come, at some point likely in 2024, will be consideration of whether the time will then be right to ask for another override.