Residents urge select board to fund schools, library and senior services and keep override simple

Dozens of residents turned out March 26 to urge the Southampton Select Board to preserve services threatened by FY27 budget shortfalls and to present a clear override question for voters.

Speakers described concrete cuts that could follow a failed override, including the potential loss of reading interventionists, art and music teachers at Norris School, major reductions in library staffing and programs that could cause the library to lose regional certification, and the elimination of key senior center positions. Kathleen Borchowski told the board splitting the override into multiple questions would force impossible choices among essential services: "This override is about preserving the foundation of our town. Education, safety, infrastructure, and care for our most vulnerable."

Multiple speakers also urged clear, specific communication so voters understand the stakes. Aaron Sims, who said he is organizing residents in support of a single comprehensive override, said a unified question "gives voters the full picture, including schools, services, and the overall future of the town." Other commenters argued for line-item or staged approaches to make an override more palatable to some households.

Not all public comments agreed. Heather Pellegrini and others cautioned a single, large ask could backfire and recommended smaller, more targeted questions or a tiered approach. Tammy Wollenitz raised procedural concerns about petitions and asked that her proposed senior center warrant article be placed on the annual town meeting warrant for May.

The board heard these comments before adopting its own approach — voting to present two override options and setting specific dollar figures — and directed staff to prepare educational materials and return with verified budget figures prior to the warrant close on April 1.

Quotes in this article are attributed to the speakers as they identified themselves during the meeting.