The override will help all of the schools in Newton because there are student enrollment increases across elementary, middle and high school and the teachers we are hiring to match this enrollment growth will be deployed in all of the schools that have the greatest need. In addition, the top three worst elementary school buildings (Angier, Cabot and Zervas) will be renovated or replaced which will pave the way for all of the other schools that also are in dire need. Further, as these schools are improved, the maintenance and repair money currently being drained by the three worst schools will be freed up for improvements to the other buildings.

How do Newton teacher salaries compare to neighboring communities? Don't we need to stay consistent with the market?

Absolute NO to any more Taxes. In 1992 my Tax bill was $637 a Quarter In 2002 it was $ 610 In 2012 $1,215. The mont we pay that we are overdrawn in the Checkbook. Its time we fire half of the Alderman, they were voted out twice and just vote themselves in again. there are many ways to save some of the money. You paid 197 Million for a High school there could have been built for $80,000. Hand out the Collection bowl to all the Yes Voters and give them a tiny tax break, Newton only help wen you are so poor you are welfare, but they are quickly driving us older people there.

I saw that the override will cost $343 per home per year. Is that a flat fee?

No one is contesting the fact that Newton schools are overcrowded and in need of repair. For those that oppose the override, what plan do you propose to fix our schools?

Bill Heck - The $7M figure is bogus, at least a factor of 10 overblown. It's certainly less than $1M. A review is in order but this is a red herring

I'm very much on the fence on the issue despite the fact that I have a first grader who will be directly impacted by the outcome. I wonder if the dozens of new businesses opening on route 9 will help bring enough commercial tax revenue into the city to help our aging infrastructure?

Explain why initiatives like naming rights can't fund ongoing enrollment expenses?

Why can't CPA funds be diverted to fund the capital projects or road improvements?

There are so many students crowded into crumbling buildings that can't stay hit or cold. How will this override help?

All of these questions seem to be about the schools. I'd like to comment in general about the condition of our city infrastructure. First, although we must always strive to do our work both well and efficiently, government IS different from private sector business - we serve the collective need. I think our citizens are generally unhappy with the poor condition of our roads, sidewalks, school and municipal buildings. Those who suggest we should reduce staff and/or salaries as a way to pay for infrastructure repair / replacement, are not thinking through how we depend upon skilled staff to make sure the work is done well and efficiently. Marcia reported that this administration has been building up the skills needed in Public Buildings. In fact we have now three new excellent project managers. If we pass all three questions, we'll need to add a little more. Although the city would hire a design team, we need skilled folks in house to represent our interests and hold all the players to task.

How is this override different from overrides of the past? What has been learned?

Thanks for joining us. The questions and comments have been great. We won't be taking any more questions in a few moments.

In closing, we thank the Globe for this opportunity and hope that you will feel better informed to make the decision to vote
NO on all three overrides