<p>At a special election Thursday, Oak Bluffs voters defeated a debt exclusion question for an additional $1.3 million to build a new town hall.</p>
At a special election Thursday Oak Bluffs voters defeated a debt exclusion question for an additional $1.3 million to build a new town hall, throwing the project into limbo again.
The added spending saw overwhelming support on the town meeting floor Tuesday, but at on Thursday the question to exclude the spending from the state tax cap failed by 75 votes. With 665 voters casting ballots, 295 said yes and 370 said no to the question.
“I’m disappointed,” said selectman Greg Coogan, who was on hand when the votes were counted. “We’ve been trying to get a new town hall for 27 years, and we keep finding roadblocks to it.”
Bill McGrath, who headed the town hall building committee, echoed the disappointment. “I think it’s shortsighted, but the voters have spoken,” he said.
Plans to build a new town hall date to 2014, when voters approved a town hall project at the annual town meeting but defeated a debt exclusion measure two days later in the ballot box.
In 2017, voters approved a $9.9 million town hall project at the annual town meeting and in the ballot box.
But Thursday voters balked at the request for the additional $1.3 million, stemming from this summer when bids for the project came in over budget, even after cost-cutting redesigns.
Comments
Not surprised and glad not an
Knowitall Proud Not To Be From OBNot surprised and glad not an ob taxpayer. The no votes may think they have won but I am gonna guess this will cost them much much more in the long run. Hey newspaper, let's see the list of people who went to town meeting and the list of people who voted. Just for public record sake. Conversation can carry on from there.
Maybe the building should be
proud to be from OBMaybe the building should be built for the budget it was given. $9.9 million can build a beautiful building. That's the budget. Not a penny more. It's not a game ender. It's just, the budget.
Why is anyone surprised?
John Aldeborgh EdgartownWhy is anyone surprised? Activists attend town meetings, normal hard working taxpayers are simply too busy and can't afford to join these meeting. Those same people don't need (versus want) a new town hall, but more importantly they simply can not afford higher taxes and fees. The cost of island living and the island taxes are already very high, adding an additional burden isn't going to be popular accept with the activists and those that directly benefit from the project.
So short sighted. How can
WillowSo short sighted. How can critical town business be carried on in an inaccessible building that is literally falling apart? It's a wonder Oak Bluffs can keep any staff to meet residents' needs.
How about doing something in
WashAbhorred EdgartownHow about doing something in conjunction with the school district's request for a new building? While that got voted down you know it's going to come back.
Already too many people are
Abraham Seiman Oak Bluffs, MAAlready too many people are being forced to leave both their homes and the Island. If the business interest in OB will stop worrying about a drop in revenue (extremely unlikely) enough money can be obtained from increases in fees, e.g., marina, entertainment surcharges, etc,. so that cost of living and tax increases can become more affordable for the AVERAGE resident.
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