Select Board plans attempt at changing Proposition 2 1/2

The Grafton Select Board is contemplating a revolution, but first they need to find the tools to fight it.

The target: Proposition 2 1/2, the 1980 ballot initiative-turned-law that caps property tax increases at 2 1/2 percent. Last month, Select Board member Ray Mead suggested that Grafton could join forces with other communities to demand that the state up the maximum increase.

Grafton last had an override in 2020 to stabilize the schools, fund municipal positions, and revamp the fire department’s leadership. That came five years after another override to finance the school department.

“If we don’t bring in some serious money in the next five years, we’re going to need another one,” Mead said.

Select Board member Colleen Roy suggested that the board look into the specifics of how it might alter Proposition 2 1/2. Members threw out various numbers — 4 percent, 8 percent — all of which were completely hypothetical.

“We owe it to all our residents to look at all the options,” Select Board member Doreen DeFazio said.

State Sen. Michael Moore and state Rep. David Muradian will be asked to a meeting next month to informally discuss how the town could move forward.

“They are very hesitant to talk about this at all,” Mead warned. “They don’t want to talk about this at all, and the reason is it would put them into the loop of talking about raising taxes.” 

Also necessary: attracting new business to town to up the ratio of commercial properties to residential. DeFazio mentioned that the Economic Development Commission could put together a town wide resource guide, listing all Grafton businesses and their specialties.

Roy thought a guide would be something a Chamber of Commerce might put together and suggested that the EDC could look into starting one for the town, similar to the one in Hopkinton. While Grafton is part of the Northbridge-based Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, Roy said there are less than 10 Grafton-based members.

“I don’t think Grafton really has the economic footprint of someplace like Hopkinton,” Carlson said. “I know we’ve always been a part of Blackstone, but is Blackstone doing it for us?”

Town Administrator Evan Brassard cautioned the board that starting a Chamber of Commerce as a town may be a conflict, noting that the town’s focus is on generating revenue for services while business interests may vary.

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