Debt Exclusion Placed on April Ballot

Voters will be asked to approve a debt exclusion, which is a temporary tax increase, to pay for the town’s share of the new Tri-County Regional Vocational High School in Franklin.

The Seekonk Select Board voted February 14 to place the question on the April election ballot.

Last October, voters from 11 communities across three counties approved funding construction of the $286 million project.

The regional school district is composed of Franklin, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, North Attleboro, Plainville, Sherborn, Walpole, and Wrentham. A total of 5,365 votes were in favor, with 3229 in opposition.

The project was rejected in Seekonk, with 274 voting in favor and 351 opposed.

Some reimbursement of the cost would be paid by the Massachusetts School Building Association. The remaining $200 million will be paid by the 11-member communities.

Town Administrator Shawn Cadime had noted if the project was approved, taxpayers will have to pay $1.1 million annually over a 30 year period.

Cadime explained if a debt exclusion is not approved, $1.1 million will have a “significant impact (on) our operational budget.”

“It will impact police, fire, DPW, the schools,” Cadime said. “The (new) building is going to be capped at 1000 students. Right now, (Tri County) only has enough room for 900 students. We’ll have additional students who will have the opportunity to go to Tri County and will impact the assessment we have on a yearly basis.”

The first anticipated debt payment would be for fiscal year 2028.  Cadime noted that provides the town with a four year window to plan for annual budgets.