PHOTO BY PAULA MULLER
A sign in support of the Gerry School feasibility study seen on Washington street in Marblehead.
BY GAYLA CAWLEY
MARBLEHEAD — Residents are willing to pay more taxes for a new fire truck and a study to renovate the Elbridge Gerry School.
On Tuesday, voters overwhelmingly voted ‘yes’ to both questions, with 2,176 in favor of funds for the Gerry School feasibility study with 875 against. More taxes were also approved for the fire pumper truck by 2,403 people, while 628 voted ‘no.
With the approval, the fire truck will cost the average homeowner an additional $74.40 over 10 years, the length of the bond. For the study, taxpayers would be responsible for another $55.80 over five years.
“I think it’s good news that both questions passed,” said Town Administrator John McGinn.
Voters were asked to exclude the items from Proposition 2 ½, the tax limiting measure that places limits on the amount a community can raise through property taxes. A municipality cannot levy more than two and a half percent of the total value of all taxable real and personal property.
Last month, Town Meeting approved funding for the $750,000 study and a $620,000 fire truck.
McGinn said the results will allow the town to move forward with the financing of the new fire truck and allow the Gerry School Building Committee to follow the process prescribed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to commence with the study.
He wasn’t surprised by the results, saying that the case was made for the need for both at Town Meeting.
The state will pay about 32 percent for the cost of the study, or $243,525. Taxpayers will be responsible for $506,475. The feasibility study will be conducted for a K-1 school that has never been improved since it was built in 1906. The survey is the first step to qualify for state money for the MSBA.
The project would have to be approved at Town Meeting in 2018. Construction options would be considered after the study is completed. The process could take up to two years.
Cindy Schieffer, a member of the Building Committee, said the board will work together with the MSBA over the course of the study project to look at all possible options for improved Gerry School facilities. She wasn’t surprised by the results.
“I think I’ve always had faith that the town would vote in support of our schools,” Schieffer said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.
