North's Override Was Done Right

North's Override A Model For Others

by Bill Gouveia for the Sun Chronicle

It’s been a couple months since the surprising (to some) passage of a $6.5 million general override in North Attleboro — a town many had considered the least likely in this area ever to override the limits of Prop 2 1/2.

As the dust has settled, many outside North are asking the question — how did they do it? Some in my hometown of Norton, where two general override questions have lost in the last several years, are certainly curious. Norton has never approved a general override.

Of course, there is no “magic answer” to the question of how to pass one. You obviously need very good reasons to back up such a request. It needs the willingness of selectmen just to place it on the ballot. Then, it requires a lot of information, explanation and old-fashioned political skill and elbow grease to get the taxpayers and citizens to support it. All that goes without saying.

North had all that — but then again, they had all that before only to see previous overrides voted down. So why was this effort successful? Was it simply that the need and solutions to the problems were so clear and obvious they could no longer be ignored?

Maybe. But in the opinion of this veteran local political observer, it was much more than that. And it represents a pretty clear model for all who wish to emulate the success of those who got it done.

North Attleboro’s override passed because it was done the right way — from inside the system rather than outside it. This was not just a group of parents or concerned citizens with no local political experience gathering together and influencing those in power. It was not a town-employee led organization seeking to add staffing and salary increases.

This last override was the result of solid leadership from within — plain and simple.

Over the last several years, some veteran selectmen were replaced with younger newcomers who had a different view of the town’s problems and how to address them. They respectfully and adroitly worked from within, bolstering the credibility and reliability of the town’s executive board. They concentrated less on protecting certain political powerbases, and more on what was better for the entire community.

They certainly did not achieve this alone. Any override effort has to have a dedicated band of supporters who work behind the scenes to make it happen, including other town officials. But this time in North, they were not feeling isolated. They did not have to drag selectmen kicking and screaming to help in their efforts.

This last override was a coordinated effort by those in charge of government to make things better. They put forth their argument in a united, reasonable manner — and the people responded.

This last time, the selectmen didn’t just back the override with empty words and gestures. They maintained their responsibility to not campaign, but made it clear where they stood. And folks – that can make all the difference in the world.

The example set by North Attleboro is that overrides are passed when people believe their town government is committed. Kudos to those in North who got it done.

Bill Gouveia is a local columnist and longtime local official. He can be emailed at billsinsidelook@gmail.com and followed on Twitter at @Billinsidelook.