Judith Culver, Westford resident

Because Westford is out of money to fund the many services and programs that it offers now in the next year.  Inflation over the past four decades has caused Westford to tighten its belt and create increasingly efficient government services.  

And in those same decades, the Town’s ability to raise property taxes to fund services has been limited to a 2½ % annual increase of the previous year’s tax revenue.   When inflation grew at a nominal rate from year to year and new housing allowed an increase in the Town’s value, Westford’s services were OK.  There were even funds in some years to expand services and programs.

It would have been nice if the 1982 law had allowed the 2½ % increase to adjust for inflation or cost of living.  But it didn’t.  However, the override mechanism within Prop 2½ % law recognized that when expenses exceed revenue Towns can offer this option to residents.      

Overrides exist to provide a sustainable source of revenue to support town operations.  The process ensures that voters are given control over the option to increase taxes to provide services.  

Over the last 2 decades inflation has increased the cost of the merchandise, equipment, and services that a town needs to function.  With revenue less than expenses every year, a continuous revenue deficit has affected Westford’s ability to fully fund services and programs. 

If residents want Westford to provide the same level of services they enjoy now, new revenue is needed, but the source of these funds is very limited by law. Years of inflation have created structural deficits for the many towns that depend upon Property Taxes to fund local governments.

Without any new personnel or services and the careful pursuit of efficiencies, Westford’s budget to fund existing services and personnel next year is still over $10 million short.   

A successful override of any amount will not preserve all of today’s programs and services.  Many will still have to be reduced or eliminated.  With no override roughly 80 town employees will be let go in the next year. A smaller override request would still see up to 80 town employees let go over the next 3 years.   Any staff losses in school, fire, police, and library will affect services and programs townwide – the services upon which many residents depend.

If this year’s override vote fails, the deficit will continue to grow, causing additional reductions of staff and services.  Successful override votes at both Town Meeting and Annual Election this year can provide a necessary increase to Westford’s revenue allowing some services and staff to be protected.

Considering that Westford’s expense projections far exceed expected new revenues, in the short term, an override is the most viable option that Westford can use to maintain current service levels. 

Voters can decide what the level of town services should be by voting YES or NO at Town Meeting on March 23 and in the annual Town Election on May 5.

I have lived in Westford for over 50 years and have seen the implementation and growth of many of the services now facing elimination or weakening.   Please consider which services are important to you and then join me in voting YES at Town Meeting and Town Election.    Let’s  VOTE YES to SAVE OUR SERVICES and INVEST IN WESTFORD.

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