Mayor Proposes Debt Exclusion Ballot Question for Melrose Public Safety Buildings
Mayor Paul Brodeur has sent to the Melrose City Council an order requesting a debt exclusion ballot question be placed before the voters of Melrose on the November 7, 2023 election ballot.
The specific language offered to the Council by the Mayor would pay for the cost to borrow funds for renovating or replacing three of the four public safety buildings: the Melrose Central Fire Station, the Melrose Highlands Fire Station, and the Melrose Police Station. While the ballot question cannot by law include the cost of this project, it is estimated to be $95 million. The proposed debt exclusion language differs from what the Public Safety Building Committee has recommended, which would be to renovate or replace all four public safety buildings, including the East Side Fire Station, at a project cost of approximately $130 million.
“This is the culmination of years of effort spanning several administrations to address this critical need and represents an unprecedented investment in our City’s public safety infrastructure,” said Mayor Brodeur. “I want to acknowledge the tremendous effort that has been made by the Public Safety Building Committee, which included representatives of our police and fire unions, City staff, and talented residents who put in countless hours to help move this project forward. Without their dedication, we would not be at the place where we are today – discussing the financing of this project – and I’m deeply grateful to all of them for fulfilling their charge of analyzing the needs of our public safety buildings.”
Read Mayor Brodeur’s full statement to the Melrose community on the proposed debt exclusion ballot here.
The August 21, 2023 City Council agenda is available here.
About Debt Exclusion Ballot Questions
A debt exclusion is a temporary increase in the tax levy that allows a City to borrow for a specific purpose. Unlike an override, which is a permanent increase in the tax levy, the additional amount for the payment of debt service is added to the levy limit for the life of the debt only.
A debt exclusion ballot question can only be placed on an election ballot by a two-thirds vote of the City Council and requires the mayor’s approval. The form of a debt exclusion ballot question is dictated by state election law, and only allows for a City or Town to indicate the purpose and not a dollar amount.
In order for a debt exclusion question relative to the public safety buildings to be placed on the November 7, 2023 ballot, the approved language must be in the hands of the City Clerk thirty-five (35) days before the date of the election.