Rockport voters face override, write-in races Tuesday

ROCKPORT — Residents will head to the polls Tuesday to choose a new selectman from among five announced write-in candidates, settle a three-person contest for two seats on the Planning Board, and let their voices be heard regarding a proposed school override — the only question on the ballot.

The choral, chamber, and orchestra music programs — as well as technology, drama, and art electives — would be among the school offerings to be eliminated next year if the town fails to approve the district's proposed $536,836 override, school officials have said.

Officials point to an 11.2 percent increase ($350,926) in mandated special education costs as a main factor behind the override request.

Parents and school advocates worry about the effects further programming cuts would have on the school day and what the override's failure would mean for the district's school choice population.

The number of out-of-district students attending Rockport schools this year (124) is up 61 percent from the 2000-2001 school year, while the number of Rockporters deciding to attend school elsewhere this year (26) has dropped by 62 percent since 2000.

"The School Committee uses a portion of school choice money each year as an 'offset,' which then reduces the contribution of the town toward the school budget," said Pam Brindamour, who recently started a "Save our Students" group in support of the override. "Therefore, success with school choice benefits the town as a whole, as well as the schools."

Lana Razdan, a mother of three Rockport students, said the town should vote to affix "the Band-Aid to keep the school system competitive," while recognizing there is work to be done to address "large, complex and long-term issues."

"The statistics show that the investments we have already made in our schools have helped us to both recover a strong market share of school choice students and keep our own community's children from 'choice-ing,'" she said. "To pursue a course which would dismantle this positive position by taking away the very courses and curriculum that attract students from both in and out of the system is like killing the goose that laid the golden egg.

"It achieves short-term satisfaction — a stand against additional taxes and 'sending a message' — but ultimately does away with any long-term benefits — a school system which can compete with other cities and towns to attract students, enhancing Rockport's property values, as well as its bottom line," Razdan added.

If the override passes, homeowners will see an average increase of $147.63 on their tax bill, officials have calculated.

"I realize the increase in property taxes will be painful for some," said Mike Caffi, a former School Committee member. "Ignoring the issues now will require even more costly solutions in the future, both in terms of financial burden and lost opportunities for our children."

The Board of Selectmen supported the override at Town Meeting, but the Finance Committee has not voted on whether or not to recommend the tax hike.

"The school financing issue is not a financial issue, it's a values issue in this town," Finance Committee Chairman Frank Hassler said. "I have tried to keep the Finance Committee as value-neutral as possible."

Teachers' pact impact?

School officials indicated said they hoped the new, two-year teachers' contract ratified Wednesday night would boost support for the override.

The new labor deal that does not include teacher raises next year beyond automatic step increases, but will raise teacher salaries by a overall 1.25 percent by the end of August 2012.

The two-year contract, ratified by the School Committee late Wednesday night, puts in place a 1 percent raise for the first half of the 2011-2012 school year, and will add to that a .5 percent hike for the remainder of fiscal year 2012, bringing an overall 1.25 percent increase.

While eligible teachers next year will receive their contractual step and track increases based on education and experience, the contract also includes a retirement buyout clause aimed at giving the district more flexibility with teacher salaries.

The write-ins

While no candidates initially took out nomination papers for the selectman's seat being vacated by Charles Clark, who announced he would not seek re-election this spring, five people stepped forward after the filing deadline to run for the seat on a write-in basis.

They are Maria Clements of 4A Twin Lights Circle, Frances Fleming of 12 Pleasant St., Eoin Vincent of 6 Meadow Road, Jonathan Weaver of 237 Granite St., and Herb Wescott of 3 Allen Ave.

There are three candidates vying for two seats on the Planning Board. Mary Ruth Sole and Jack Heinzmann are incumbents looking for another three-year term, but only Sole's name will appear on the ballot as an incumbent; Heinzmann initially decided to retire and failed to turn in nomination papers for the post.

Joining Sole on the ballot is challenger Frederick "Ted" Tarr, a former selectman and Planning Board member.

Therefore, people who want to vote for Heinzmann will have to write his name and address, 51 Phillips Ave., on the ballot under the Planning Board section — much in the way residents will have to vote for any of the selectman's candidates.

Names and addresses

Town Clerk Fred Frithsen said election workers will be able to explain the write-in and ballot process to any voter, but will not be giving out names and addresses.

"We must remain neutral in actuality and appearance so voters should come to the polls prepared to do whatever it is they want to do," Frithsen said.

"In order to make absolutely sure that a write-in vote is counted, it should contain the name and address of the person for whom they want to vote," he said.

However, while Frithsen said he'd prefer to see both a name and address, the election workers will be instructed to take into consideration the intent of the voter during the counting of the ballots.

For example, if someone writes just a name, it will be counted, even if it's misspelled, Frithsen said.

Even if there's just a last name, it will be counted, Frithsen added. However, if a recount is necessary, someone could challenge the last name vote by suggesting the voter may have actually meant the candidate's spouse or someone else in the community with the same last name.

"It is best to take all doubt out of what the voter intends to do by giving name and address," Frithsen said.

The clerk said he is expecting a 50 percent turnout, which is a little higher than normal for a non-state and non-federal election. He credited the prediction to the ballot question and above average interest in the selectmen's race.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at 978-283-7000 x 3451 or jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.

POLLING TIMES, PLACES

All three of Rockport's voting precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, call the Town Clerk's office in Town Hall at (978) 546-6894. The polling places are:

Precinct 1 — Pigeon Cove Circle, Breakwater Avenue

Precinct 2 — St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 24 Broadway

Precinct 3 — Rockport Elementary School, 24 Jerden's Lane

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