By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff writer
May 06, 2008 05:35 am ROCKPORT — Town officials are bracing for "extraordinarily" high turnout today as Rockport voters head to the polls to decide what are expected to be competitive contests for selectmen and School Committee, as well as the fate of a $2.73 million debt exclusion override. Town Clerk Fred Frithsen said yesterday he expects a 50 percent turnout, or about 10 percent higher than normal. In February, 2,951 — or 56 percent — of Rockport's 5,264 registered voters cast ballots in the state's primary. Polls are open today between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. at all three precincts. The only question on the ballot asks voters to pass a debt exclusion override of $2,735,000 to finance a half-dozen capital improvement projects. A majority of the money would be used to replace school roofs, update school technology and purchase four new buses. Outgoing Rockport School Superintendent Rosemary DiTullio said yesterday she hoped good weather, coupled with a pair of contested races, would bring voters to the polls and that those voters would support the debt exclusion. "We can't tell people how to vote, but we can give people the facts and tell them how it would benefit the school," DiTullio said. "It would be great if the (debt exclusion) passes. The roof will have to be repaired no matter what, and we'll still have to buy buses no matter what." Unlike a normal operating override, a debt-exclusion override adds money to the tax levy only for the life of the bond. Because the town is retiring $600,000 in debt service in the next fiscal year and the passage of this debt exclusion item would add only $446,000, the result is a net decrease in the debt and a decrease in the tax rate of 8 cents per $1,000 of valuation. Town officials have estimated, if the override is approved, the reduction would save the average taxpayer $37.52. The balance of the money would go toward replacing town-owned computer systems and replace the first-line pump at Pigeon Cove Station and the SCBA tank. Three candidates, including Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee member Christopher Lewis, former state representative Ellen Canavan and Conservation Commission member Andrew Heinze, are vying for two seats on the Board of Selectmen. In the School Committee race, there are three candidates for the two openings. The two incumbents — School Committee Chairman Brian Sullivan and Melissa Tingley — are fighting to remain on the committee. The challenger is lifelong Rockport resident Jonathan Ring, chairman of Cape Ann Marriage & Family. Six other town positions are up for re-election this year, but those races each feature an incumbent running unopposed. According to the town clerk, results of the election will be posted on the windows of the clerk's office at Town Hall when the final votes are tallied tonight. Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.
Positions up for election Position term length (in years) currently held by Board of Selectmen 3 open Board of Selectmen 3 open Board of Assessors 3 George Hobbs* Planning Board 3 Samuel Coulbourn (chairman)* Planning Board 3 Patricia Edgerton* Library Trustee 3 Nancy Kearns* School Committee 3 Brian Sullivan (chairman)** School Committee 3 Melissa Tingley** Housing Authority 1 Bob Visnick* Town Moderator 3 Bob Visnick* * indicates candidates running uncontested for re-election. ** indicates candidates running a contested race for re-election.
Where, when to vote r Polls will be open until 8 tonight for voters to decide the fate of a ballot question asking for approval of a debt exclusion override of tax-limiting Proposition 21/2 in the amount of $2,735,000 to pay for several capital improvements. r There are contested races for selectmen, where voters will choose two of three candidates: Christopher Lewis, Andrew Heinze or Ellen Canavan; and for School Committee, where voters will also choose two of three candidates: Jonathan Ring, Melissa Tingley or Brian Sullivan. r All three of Rockport's voting precincts, listed below, will be open for the election. 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 For more information, call the town clerk's office in Town Hall at 978-546-6894. ><p>
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