Weymouth middle school tax hike faces opposition as vote nears

April 24-- Apr. 24--WEYMOUTH -- After several years of planning and dozens of forums, public tours and presentations, residents next week will decide whether to temporarily raise property taxes to help pay for the construction of a new Chapman Middle School.

Voters who go to the polls Tuesday will be asked to approve what is known as a debt-exclusion override to pay for the town's share of the cost of the new middle school, which would house students in sixth through eighth grade. The town expects to raise $95.93 million through the debt-exclusion override, costing the average taxpayer $237 annually.

The tax increase would cover the majority of the $163.2 million cost of the project. The state's School Building Authority is expected to contribute up to $57.3 million for the project and Weymouth plans to raise about $15 million through its current tax levy.

Most of the $15 million would go toward the cost of building the new school, with the rest paying for the conversion of the Abigail Adams Middle School into the town's ninth elementary school for kindergarten through fifth grade, and the purchase of permanent modular units.

Members of the school building committee and town council say it would cost more than $100 million just to make necessary repairs and upgrades to the current school, including removing asbestos and bringing the building up to code. The state would not reimburse any of that cost, and the town would be left with an inefficient, outdated school, officials say.

A resolution unanimously approved by the town council states that "renovating the current Maria Chapman Middle School does nothing to address current educational deficiencies," including small special education classrooms, spaces that can't be retrofitted for new technology and multiple school transitions in middle school.

But opponents say the school project is too expensive, and the figure of $95.93 million being used by officials does not account for the interest that would add millions onto the cost.

The debate has resulted in the formation of two citizens groups: Citizen Spotlight on Impending Proposition 2 1/2 Debt Exclusion, organized by Don Stewart, and Yes for a New Chapman, chaired by Carrie Palazzo.

Stewart said he's opposed to both the project itself and the tactics town officials have used to promote it. He accuses town officials of not being forthcoming with information about the project.

"One thing they've never said is what the interest rate on the loan is going to be and what we're going to be paying," he said. "They still don't know and don't have the hard facts to present, and they're not telling the whole truth for how much the project is actually going to cost."

Stewart also said he attended one of the public tours and he "expected to see a school in total disrepair, but it was in good shape."

Palazzo said the campaign has been about demonstrating that the project is important for students, educators and families, and also fiscally responsible for the town.

"The tone has been one of reason and clear facts," she said. "It's such a solid project, and it's the right fiscal decision for our town."

If approved, the increase would mark the first time Weymouth voters have overridden the tax-capping provisions of Proposition 2 1/2 , a state law adopted in 1980. Weymouth residents voted down Proposition 2 1/2 override attempts in 1990 and 2015 that would have boosted the town's budget permanently. The town has never taken up a debt-exclusion override meant to fund a specific project.

Ted Langill, chair of the school building committee and Mayor Robert Hedlund's chief of staff, said officials have worked for three years on the plans and held more than 50 meetings and forums. He said he is excited the project is coming to a vote.

"I feel good knowing we have done everything we could to make sure this is the most fiscally responsible and educationally appropriate solution to create a safe, sound and sustainable learning and community environment," he said. "Getting to a cost point where the debt exclusion for a new, safer, accessible and energy efficient school will cost less than the base repair, which wouldn't provide the same educational improvements, was significant and the result of a lot of hard work by a lot of people. I am hoping that hard work pays off on Tuesday."

The proposed new school would include a new theater, renovated gymnasium, health and wellness center, meeting rooms, handicap accessible playground, outdoor classroom, play areas and walking paths.

The special election for the debt exclusion override will take place from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.

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