"I'm very grateful (for the selectmen's support)," Superintendent John Antonucci said yesterday. "Having both their support unanimously as well as the FinCom, I think goes a long way in convincing voters what we're asking for is reasonable and well-justified."
Selectmen at last week's meeting agreed to back the override. The Finance Commission supported the override on 12-1 vote.
The override, if passed, would add $393 a year to the property taxes paid by the owner of the average home in town, which is valued at $566,000, officials said. The average tax hike in fiscal '08 with the override would be $547, increasing the average annual property tax to $6,620. Without the override, the hike would be $154, and the average bill $6,227.
No formal opposition has materialized, but at the Senior Center recently, several seniors felt that a silent majority of "no" voters will take to the polls and defeat the override.
H. Andrea Vasil, Ivar Johnson and Elvin Fowell, all seniors, expect the override to fail.
"There's a silent majority. As Yogi Berra said, 'it ain't over til it's over,' " Fowell said. "I'm not against kids, but costs have escalated beyond capacity for many of us retired people."
Vasil said he does not support the override because he's a senior citizen, explaining that seniors are on fixed incomes, have paid enough already and didn't want to build a new high school.
"Taxes are high enough. The 'yes' voters are for the children, I'm voting for the elderly," Vasil said.
Fowell suggested the town become more efficient, and that wealthy residents donate funds in exchange for having their names memorialized. He also wants fewer couples with children in the town, thereby reducing the drain on town coffers supporting the schools.
He wants seniors to hold onto their homes longer so that younger couples with families have fewer opportunities to move to Westwood.
"People are breeding children to excess capacity," Fowell said.
For the past several months, Antonucci has told the School Department, parents, various town boards and anyone else willing to listen that rising costs and insufficient budget increases in recent years have forced the schools to cut programs and staff.
Asked about the override's prospects for success, Antonucci said, "I don't even want to speculate at this point. I'm focusing on the process itself. I don't think there's anything else we could have done, physically or otherwise, to make sure people get the information they need."
At last week's meeting, Selectman Nancy Hyde commended the superintendent for providing information and answering questions about the school budget and override.
Said Selectman Patrick Ahearn, "I usually start no on overrides and work my way to yes. I worked my way to yes on this one. I believe it's vital to the town."
After voting in support of the override, selectmen Chairman Anthony Antonellis urged all residents to vote, regardless of their position.
Daily News staff writer Greg Duggan can be reached at 781-433-8355 or by e-mail at gduggan@cnc.com.
