But both sides of tax override issue agree: Public Safety is a key priority
The city of Malden is in historic times, but not for the right reasons, altogether. The storm of revenues not matching expenditures — most of them in the category of escalating, uncontrollable costs — began some time ago. The financial crisis facing this community is very real, with consequences both immediate and far-reaching as well.
At this time, as the city prepares for a momentous special election centered on a Proposition 2 1/2 tax override, the debate and opinion-swapping that has swept the city is reaching a crescendo as the Tuesday, March 31, date approaches. Voters are being asked to vote “Yes” or “No” on two ballot questions proposing an increase in the property tax levy at two levels: $5.4 million or $8.2 million. If both questions pass by a majority vote, then the higher amount would prevail, while if one passes, that amount would move forward. If neither ballot question receives a majority of votes and both fail, then no property tax levy other than the established increase of 2.5% would be used for the next fiscal year FY27…