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Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 20, 2026 FORUM | FROM PAGE 1 and support an increase in the property tax levy for homeowners and commercial property A Proposition 2 1/2 Override — if supported by voters — is a vote to increase the total property tax levy limit, the total amount of tax revenue a municipality can raise, beyond the 2.5% increase allowed annually in Massachusetts. Proposition 2 1/2 is one of the longest-standing state-based tax laws in the nation. It is a Massachusetts law passed by voters 45 years ago — in 1980 — that limits the amount of property tax revenue a community can raise through real and personal property taxes to 2.5% annually. Because an override increases the total tax levy, the additional tax burden is distributed across all taxable property classes, including commercial, industrial and personal property, not just residential homes. On Tuesday, March 31, Malden voters will go to the polls to mark Mayor Gary Christenson spoke at the forum along with other top city officials. (Advocate Photos) ballots with either a “Yes” or “No” vote to two ballot questions. One question, “1A,” asks voters if they support a citywide tax levy increase of $5.4 million. A second question, “1B,” asks voters if they support a citywide tax levy increase of $8.2 million. A total majority vote of over 50% is required to pass either or both ballot questions. If one passes, that amount ($5.4 million or $8.2 million) will be raised with a levy increase this year. If both pass, the higher $8.2 million would be assessed. If neither ballot question passes, then there would be no property tax increase this year larger than the 2 1/2% allowed by Massachusetts state law. On Monday, Mayor Christenson and other top-tier city officials, including City Council President Amanda Linehan (Ward 3), City Council Finance Committee Chairperson Carey McDonald (At Large), Chief Strategy Officer Ron Hogan, City Controller Charles “Chuck” Ranaghan and City Treasurer Daniel Grover, assembled at a table on the stage before an audience of about 100 residents. Also on hand for the forum were Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe and Ward 5 Councillor Ari Taylor. It was the third of a series of four informational forums on the proposed Proposition 2 1/2 Override ballot questions, which will be decided by Malden voters on March 31. The fourth and final informational forum is scheduled next week at 6:00 p.m. at Linden STEAM Academy K-8 school, 29 Wescott St., Malden, just ahead of the Tuesday, March 31 vote. The City of Malden has provided detailed information on the override proposal on the city website: www.cityofmalden.org. Mayor Christenson gave an Malden Chief Strategy Officer Ron Hogan gives some background on city finances as Mayor Gary Christenson (left) and City Controller Charles “Chuck” Ranaghan (right) listen. (Advocate Photos) overview of the city’s present financial crisis and stressed the $8.2 million higher amount request on the ballot would “not be used to for any new personFORUM | SEE PAGE 9 Home of the Week EVERETT 1st AD - Wonderful Care-Free Welcome Home to Park Plaza Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Commonwealth Real Estate Formerly Carpenito Real Estate Living! 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Malden Proposition 2½ Override Election Information The following information is available on the City of Malden website: www.cityofmalden.org On March 31, 2026, Malden voters will be asked to consider two separate Proposition 2½ override questions, Question 1A and Question 1B. These questions are designed to provide additional funding to help stabilize the City’s budget and support essential city services. BALLOT LANGUAGE Questions 1A and 1B are separate questions. You may vote for or against each question independently. Each question requires a majority of those voting on that question to pass. If both questions pass, Option 1B will prevail as the question with the higher dollar amount. The proposed funding would support ongoing services across all City departments, including public schools, public safety, the public library, public works, and general government. *** 1A Shall the City of Malden be allowed to assess an additional $5,400,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of stabilizing the City’s budget and to support ongoing city services across all departments, including public schools, public safety, public library, public works and general government, for which the monies will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026? 0 Yes 0 No *** 1B Shall the City of Malden be allowed to assess an additional $8,200,000 in real estate and personal property taxes for the purposes of stabilizing the City’s budget and to support ongoing city services across all departments, including public schools, public safety, public library, public works and general government, for which the monies will be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026? 0 Yes 0 No *** Online Tax Calculator To help residents understand the potential impact of the proposed override, the City has provided an online tax calculator. By entering your address, you can view an estimate of how the override would affect your annual property tax bill, based on current assessed values. Overview On September 25, 2025, Mayor Gary Christenson sent a correspondence to the Malden City Council asking that the City Council take under consideration a Proposition 2 1/2 override. Under MGL, Cities and Towns may only increase taxes 2.5% year over year, and anything beyond that requires approval by the voters. With the docketing of a paper before the Malden City Council, that process has begun. Subsequent City Council discussion and deliberation, driven by resident feedback and additional facts coming to the surface, resulted in a modification to the proposal such that voters will be provided two options for an override. Only one amount can prevail. In the event both amounts receive more than 50% support, the higher amount will prevail. If neither amount receives more than 50% of the vote, then both questions fail. The options are for $5.4 million and $8.2 million. The City Council voted unanimously in support of the two-tiered override option, and the Mayor signed off on the revised proposal, as well as a recommendation to move the election day back to March 31, 2026. While both the legislative and executive branches have approved of putting the override on the ballot, it’s important to remember that NEITHER THE MAYOR NOR THE CITY COUNCIL CAN INCREASE TAXES WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL. The election day is largely driven by the need to have direction in time for the crafting of a City Budget for FY2027. That process usually starts in February of each year and will be greatly informed by the results of the March 31 election.

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