Templeton Select Board approves two override questions for May ballot to fund town and Narragansett Regional School District

The Templeton Select Board voted unanimously Friday to place two override questions on the May 18, 2026 ballot that would allow the town to raise either $2,000,000 or $4,000,000 in additional real estate and personal property taxes to fund the operating budgets of the Town of Templeton and the Narragansett Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, the board chair said.

Chair read the proposed ballot language: "Question 1a: Shall the Town of Templeton be allowed to assess an additional $2,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budgets of the town and the Narragansett Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2026?" and "Question 1b: Shall the Town of Templeton be allowed to assess an additional $4,000,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of funding the operating budget of the town and the Narragansett Regional School District for the fiscal year beginning 07/01/2026?"

The motion to adopt that wording was seconded and approved by roll call. Recorded responses were Mister May — yes; Miss Graves — yes; Mister Toth — reluctantly yes; and Mister Bennett — yes.

Board members also approved language for instructions to appear above the questions on the ballot, pending the town clerk's formal approval. The instructions state that Questions 1a and 1b are separate, that voters may vote yes or no on each question independently, that each question requires a majority of those voting on that question to pass, and that if more than one question passes the question with the higher dollar amount will prevail.

Select Board member Mister Toth, who participated via Zoom, said he opposed a "blended" approach and "would like to see them broken out," expressing a preference that allocations to the school and town be presented separately. The board did not adopt separate allocations; the approved language names both the town and the Narragansett Regional School District but does not specify how any approved funds would be divided between them.

The ballot language and the instruction text will be forwarded to the town clerk for final review and placement on the ballot for the annual town election on May 18, 2026.

Votes at a glance

- Approve ballot question language (two dollar options): motion made by the chair; seconded; outcome — approved; recorded votes — Mister May: yes; Miss Graves: yes; Mister Toth: reluctantly yes; Mister Bennett: yes. - Approve ballot instructions (pending town clerk approval): motion made by the chair; seconded; outcome — approved (unanimous as recorded).

The Select Board adjourned after completing the single item of business.