After a very brief discussion Thursday night voters approved the $1,391,632 Proposition 2½ override for the Mendon Upton Regional School District. Final approval for the override will be made at the ballot box on May 18.
Approximately 260 residents were at the meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Joseph Maruszczak gave a brief presentation on the budget drivers which include increases to everyday operational costs, decreases in state aid, and the investment in ensuring every student has a competitive advantage to be successful in college and beyond.
“I want to stress the simple point the first three budgets I have submitted have intentionally been modest budgets, revenue driven,” said Maruszczak.
Dr. Maruszczak highlighted how many gains the district has made since the budget was slashed in 2011 and told voters, “Without the override we will be looking at 1.3 million dollars in cuts, lower than this years current budget.”
One resident inquired what would happen to town services should the override fail.
Board of Selectmen member Ken Picard said should the override fail the school committee will need to re certify their budget for another amount and the town budget would be off. “It’s clear to say services will be impacted,” he said.
According to Picard if the override fails Upton could lose a police officer, have to reduce library hours, and decrease COA transportation services. The town would also be looking at eliminating a custodian and a position at the treasurer collectors office. Firefighter and EMT training would be impacted by the cuts. Weed control and beaver management may have to be eliminated. All pay increases, merit increases would be eliminated. The town manager would take a pay cut.
Al Holman said, “Some years back this district was put on probation and the two communities came together and built this beautiful school. We are now at that point again in time. We need to come together and support education; it’s our moral obligation to support our young.”
Brian House brought up the point of property values, “I have lived here for eleven years, my property value has gone down and taxes have gone up. In a small bedroom community with no industry tax base the only way to increase property values is to increase the quality of our schools.”
Residents decided by an overwhelming majority to approve the measure.
For the proposition 2 1/2 override to pass voters will to approve it at the the special election which is a ballot vote on May 18 at Nipmuc Regional High School.
At the beginning of the meeting Selectman Ken Picard reminded everyone how close some of the votes were at the annual town election earlier this weeks and emphasized that every vote counts.
UPTON DAILY 
“According to Picard if the override fails Upton could lose a police officer”. “Firefighter and EMT training would be impacted by the cuts.”
My question is why does Public Safety have to suffer because the MURSD cannot properly manage their budget? Anyone?
^ many people’s question ..surely
as well as the physical condition of the school’s…particularly Miscoe and it’s interrelated health issues … Accident reporting effective management of bullying, substance abuse,lack of effective counseling, communication etc.
Public safety being targeted particularly in a time when you’ve got a hit list at the high school and a lunatic driving around scouting our children, teenagers OD ing on Heroin …brilliantly played multimillion dollar smoke screen or a nasty ploy to get everyone’s “cry uncle ” vote.