Winchendon annual Town Election had two override questions: Here's how residents voted
The $1.9 million override in Winchendon was approved by 12 votes during the May 5 annual Town Election.
It was a close count with 896 votes for "yes" on Ballot Question 1 and 884 votes for "no." Two ballot questions appeared in this year's Winchendon annual Town Election asking voters to approve either a $1.9 million override or a $2.9 million override.
While Ballot Question 1 passed, Ballot Question 2, which asked voters if they approved the $2.9 million override, failed by a significant margin. Only 645 voters voted "yes," and 1,105 voters voted "no." This year, 1,749 Winchendon voters cast their ballot at the polls.
Three town departments may be saved from closure
If voters did not pass either of the override ballot questions, Beals Memorial Library, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Senior Center would be eliminated from the town's FY26 operating budget.
Other town departments, including the Police and Fire departments, would have faced major cutbacks, which could cause problems with effective service delivery.
What's next for Winchendon voters?
Now that the $1.9 million override ballot question has passed at the ballot box, Winchendon voters must also pass it at annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 19.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Winchendon voters approve $1.9 million override at Town Election
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