Milton Residents Vote on Property Tax Override Amid School Budget Crisis

Milton, Massachusetts residents are voting Tuesday on a $9.5 million property tax override to address severe budget shortfalls in their school system and town services. The vote comes as the affluent Boston suburb faces immediate education cuts, with teachers rationing supplies and concerns about potential layoffs. If approved, this would be the largest tax override in the town's history, increasing property taxes by approximately $1,250 for many homeowners.

The financial crisis stems from multiple factors, including the limitations of Proposition 2½, a 1980 Massachusetts law restricting municipal tax increases. Town officials cite rising costs for special education services, employee health insurance, and inflation as key drivers of the budget gap. The situation has been exacerbated by the expiration of federal pandemic relief funds that temporarily masked structural financial problems in the town's budget.

Milton's predicament reflects a growing trend across Massachusetts communities. According to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, approximately 50 towns held tax override votes last year, more than double the average from previous years. The organization's executive director, Adam Chapdelaine, suggests the current municipal tax structure may no longer be sustainable and that Proposition 2½ is under unprecedented strain.

If voters reject the override, Milton schools would face approximately $6.3 million in cuts, representing nearly 10 percent of the education budget. Officials warn this could eliminate 76 positions, including dozens of teachers and specialists, while also reducing extracurricular activities and sports programs. The town's limited commercial tax base means residential property owners bear a disproportionate share of municipal costs.

The vote occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Milton and state officials regarding housing development. The town recently lost a lawsuit filed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell after rejecting a state-mandated zoning plan for multifamily housing. Increased development could potentially expand the tax base, but resistance remains strong in the community where the median home price reached $1 million last year.