In my capacity as Ward 4 city councilor, I urge my constituents and all Northampton residents to vote yes on the override referendum on March 3.
Proposition 2½ places a stiff burden on Northampton and most Massachusetts cities. Without voter-approved overrides, the annual amount of property tax revenue our city is allowed to collect can only increase by 2.5%, but the annual increase of our costs average 3.4%.
The choice is stark. Either we approve an override, or services will be cut and some city workers will lose jobs. If we vote no, we won’t just suffer cuts this year. Every year, the revenue shortfall will get bigger, requiring more and more cuts.
Northampton provides services that benefit people from all income levels; great schools, solid infrastructure, excellent first responders and more. Without these services, Northampton won’t be a place where people want to live, raise families and retire. It’s always tough to ask people to raise their own property taxes. But by doing our part to keep up with rising costs, we are investing in the community we so deeply cherish.
Please vote yes and keep Northampton on track.
John Thorpe
Northampton
John Thorpe represents Ward 4 on the Northampton City Council.