Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 13, 2026 BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 Gary Christenson and other city officials, both administrative and elected, have deemed critical to Malden’s financial status, both present and future. Officials have stated that if the override proposal — either option — does not pass, then serious budget cuts and probably layoffs of municipal personnel would follow as soon as this spring and into the next FY2027 fiscal year. Most recently, a coalition of elected and appointed city officials and several of the city’s unions, including police, fire and Malden Education Association — the city’s largest — have come out publicly to support the override measures. Across the state, due to shrinking state-sponsored funding of local budget and growing fixed costs to municipalities, Proposition 2 1/2 Override campaigns have increased substantially in number, with 63 communities across the state requesting 68 override ballot questions in 2025 alone. Nearly 60% have been successfully passed by voters. In the past three years, 20232025, the Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot questions are over 170, according to Massachusetts state data. Historically, nearly every town and city across the state has requested a Proposition 2 1/2 override since at least 2000, with a majority of the campaigns achieving success. Most recently, the nearby communities of Melrose and Stoneham saw Proposition 2 1/2 override ballot questions passed, for a total combined amount of over $22 million. Melrose’s successful campaign, where voters approved a $13.5 million override in November 2025, stands as a state record for highest amount. The previous high was $11.3 million in 2023 by Brookline voters. The Melrose passage gives a one-time hike of $1,837 in the property tax to the average single-family homeowner, with an average assessed value of $871,123. Stoneham voters approved a $9.3 million override ballot question on December 9, with officials there sounding a similar alarm to Malden’s, seeking to prevent eliminating dozens of town and school positions and deep cuts to the library, senior center and ice arena For Malden single-family homeowners, the “1A” ballot question, which would approve a $5.4 million override, would mean an increase of $356 in the tax levy for the average homeowner, or, 54 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. The average Malden single-family home is assessed at $660,542. If the “1B” ballot question approving an $8.4 million override is passed, it would mean an additional 84 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or an increase of $516. The Malden drive for the override began with a presentation and formal request by Mayor Gary Christenson in OctoSPECIAL OFFER Safety. Style. Stress-Free Installation. CALL NOW 1.877.357.6691 FREE Fixtures and FREE Shower Door Add’l terms apply. Offer subject to change and vary by dealer. Cannot be combined with other offers. Expires 3/31/26. ber 2025. Since then the Malden City Council’s Finance Committee, led by chairperson and Councillor-at-Large Carey McDonald, have held numerous meetings where details of the override request and plans for the Special Election and ballot question were hammered out. In mid-December 2025, the City Council unanimously approved a request from the city’s administration to hold a Special Election on March 31 where local residents will be asked to vote on a proposed Proposition 2 1/2 property tax override. The proposal has been met with debate both public and online in favor and in opposition. At several City Council meetings and Finance Committee meetings, a number of residents have spoken out against the override proposals. Nearly all cited perceived possible fiscal management issues and called for independent audits of Malden’s spending and revenue. At this week’s City Council meeting, the members discussed proposals by two Councillors-at-Large, Karen Colón Hayes and first-term Michelle Luong, regarding the possible pursuit of outside audits. A group formed to support the Malden override proposal. Yes for Malden this week announced more than a dozen endorsements in support of the Proposition 2 ½ override ballot question. The campaign is run by Malden residents and has launched the website yesformalden.org, which includes information on the override, including “how this ballot question is uniquely tiered to ensure maximum flexibility to voters, and how residents can pitch in to help ensure success before the March 31 election,” according to a news release this week. According to Yes for Malden, many public officials — including nine City Councillors, have announced their support, including Mayor Gary Christenson, City Council President Amanda Linehan (Ward 3), Councillors Carey McDonald, (At Large), Karen Colón Hayes (At Large), Michelle Luong (At Large), Peg Crowe (Ward 1), Paul Condon (Ward 2), Ari Taylor (Ward 5), and Steve Winslow (Ward 6). Malden School Committee members Michael Drummey (Ward 1) Dawn Macklin (Ward 4), Elizabeth Hortie (Ward 5), Peter Piazza (Ward 6) and Keith Bernard (Ward 2) are also endorsing the effort. “As a fiscal conservative, I’m generally skeptical of tax increases. But I’ve looked at the budget, I’ve asked the questions, and I’m voting Yes for the override because Malden doesn’t have a spending problem — we have a revenue problem.” Councillor Condon said. Additionally, the Malden Police Patrolmen’s Association, the Malden Education Association, Greater Boston Labor Council, Malden Firefighters 902 and Malden Public Library Local 3945 have all endorsed the campaign. More unions have indicated they will take votes in support of the measure, which is slated to increase revenues by either $5.4 million or $8.2 million with the stated intention “of offsetting budget pressures and preserve jobs.” “Without additional revenue, Malden will be forced to make cuts that touch nearly every aspect of civic life. Public safety, services for seniors, educational supports, and access to community programs would all be placed at risk”, stated Deb Gesualdo, Malden Education Association (MEA) president, in the news release. “Educators and municipal employees are already working within systems stretched thin. Any further reduction in personnel or services will have a disproportionate effect on families and neighborhoods across the city,” Gesualdo added. 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